Vol. 500 No. 1
235 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if grant assistance is available for private owners of houses which were built for local authorities in the early 1970's by the National Building Agency with front and back panels of asbestos; and if the grant assistance will be given for the removal of the asbestos panelling and the reconstruction of the houses. [3466/99]
There are no funds currently at my disposal from which house improvement or reconstruction grants could be made available for private houses generally. I understand that, generally speaking in the type of construction described, the facing panels were cement based and contained between 10 per cent and 15 per cent asbestos. It should not normally be necessary to remove such panels if they are in good condition. Should it be necessary to replace panels having an asbestos content, the local authority should be consulted in relation to removal and disposal. The environmental health officer of the local health board should be contacted if there are concerns from a health point of view about exposure to asbestos.
