asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that a number of housing estates throughout the country including Avondale Estate, Ballytivan, Sligo, are now unable to obtain any supplies of heating oil because the oil companies are unwilling to supply the communal tank system on which the heating was based; that because of the nature of some of the estates it is difficult, impossible or very expensive to convert to separate tanks for each house; and that some of the houses were constructed without fireplaces and chimneys; and if, in view of these considerations, he will make extra grants available in addition to the existing grants or take some other measures to ensure that the houses will be provided with an adequate and acceptable form of heating.
Written Answers. - Housing Estates' Oil Supplies.
647.
I am so aware. Under the current house improvement grants scheme a grant of up to £600 is available for the building of a chimney and the installation of a fireplace with back boiler or other solid fuel appliance in any house — local authority or private — without a chimney. I have no funds at my disposal which would enable me to increase the amount or expand the scope of this grant or to introduce other financial measures to assist such householders in providing an alternative means of heating.