Vol. 448 No. 5
42 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give priority to the homes of the elderly when implementing the National Energy Conservation Programme for local authority housing and the homes of those on low incomes, as promised in the Programme for a Government of Renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2194/95]
Advanced thermal efficiency is required under the Building Regulations, 1992 in the case of all new houses constructed since 1 June 1992, and refurbishment and improvement works carried out since that date. Prior to that date lesser, but still significant, thermal efficiency requirements applied under the earlier proposed building regulations. Older houses, whether local authority or private, would have lower thermal efficiency; while rectification of this, in a structural sense, would require the commitment of considerable resources, there are other relatively inexpensive good practices which can have a part to play. In consultation with the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications, consideration will be given, as resources and other priorities admit, to the development of a programme to improve energy conservation in housing which at present has low thermal efficiency, and to the manner in which such a programme might be implemented. The needs of the elderly and those on low incomes will be specially considered in this context.
