asked the Minister for Local Government when he will announce the results of the consultations concerning the cost of central heating in houses in Tolka Valley, Finglas and elsewhere.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Central Heating Costs.
40.
I have recently announced that, with the approval of the Government, I have decided to make reconstruction grants available to householders who install fireplaces or appliances burning solid fuel in houses without such appliances. Consequently, it is now open to tenants, with the consent of their local authority, and to tenant purchasers and other householders to apply for such grants. I understand that all householders who depend on heating by means other than by solid fuel have been advised on the most economic use of their heating appliances and that both the Electricity Supply Board and the Dublin Gas Company allow the payment of bills to be spread evenly over the year. As far as persons on low incomes are concerned, it is open to health boards or county councils, if they consider that the need exists, to provide help towards heating costs to such persons by way of financial assistance under the home assistance schemes.
Although I appreciate the Minister's reply, would he not accept that what he has said is poor warmth to people who cannot afford to proceed with this grant? There are people whose financial position is such that they can do nothing except depend on his or the local authorities' sympathy. Is there anything he proposes to do for those people?
I appreciate as does the Deputy the position those people found themselves in but I am quite sure Deputy Tunney will understand it is not just possible to provide fires for a lot of them. It is not financially possible to produce the sum of £8 million to rectify mistakes made by somebody who agreed to have this type of house erected.
I can see assistance being given at a much lesser figure. Would the Minister not suggest that there should be a scheme similar to the differential rents scheme where financial assistance would be given to people towards the payment of the bills being demanded from them?
The Deputy is going a bit off the line. He must know that to suggest that the Government should be responsible for the payment of ESB bills would lead to the Government being responsible for the purchase of coal and other things for tenants, because all the tenants who are in this position must make some arrangements. I am quite sure Deputy Tunney is correct that there are people who cannot afford the amount of money required to provide fireplaces. They should apply to the health boards in their areas to make some cash available to them.
I think the Minister will appreciate that my concern is for the tenant on whom central heating was inflicted, if you like, and who has no option but to retain it. There is an obligation on the State to help that tenant.
I am not in a position to help any further than I have done. Where I can help with grants, yes, but I could not agree that the State should start paying ESB bills for people on whom central heating has been inflicted, as the Deputy said.
This is cold comfort.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.