Vol. 519 No. 3
188 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether the expenditure limit on any one project of £20,000 on improvement works in lieu of the council housing scheme is adequate; when this limit was last reviewed and increased; and, noting the huge escalation in buildings costs, if he will increase this limit to a more realistic figure. [13919/00]
There is no prescribed cost limit on improvement works undertaken in lieu of provid ing local authority housing. Proposed works which cost in excess of £20,000 must, however, have the Department's prior approval. This threshold was last adjusted in 1997 and it is under examination at present with a view to raising the threshold which will allow local authorities to proceed with a higher proportion of improvement works without requiring the Department's prior approval.
