Vol. 529 No. 1
763 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received an application from Dublin Corporation for funding to install central heating in its stock of tenancy houses; the date he received this application; the length of time it will take to consider this application; the expected date of a decision regarding this application; the number of housing units involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30587/00]
838 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will approve an application by Dublin Corporation for financial assistance towards providing central heating for those tenancy homes in Dublin 12, such as the home of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [1945/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 736 and 838 together.
The management, maintenance and improvement of their existing dwellings, including the installation of central heating, is the responsibility of local authorities to be defrayed from their own resources. Where capital funding is provided under the remedial works scheme to assist authorities to carry out major structural works to designated estates, the installation of central heating in houses may form part of the works undertaken.
Local authorities may also seek approval to the use of their internal capital receipts, which are surplus to the requirements of their local authority housing programme and remedial works scheme, for improvement works such as the provision of central heating to their dwellings. Apart from the foregoing my Department has no capital allocation from which to fund the installation of central heating in local authority housing generally.
Dublin Corporation wrote to my Department in June last seeking funding for the provision and upgrading of central heating in the remainder of their rented houses, which they estimate to be approximately 4,000, which lack the facility at an estimated cost of some £16 million. My Department's position was outlined in a reply to the Corporation in September last on the lines of the above.
