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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Brian Hayes

Question:

540 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he received information from local housing authorities regarding the number of local authority dwellings which lack a central heating system; his plans to convert local authority dwellings with central heating within three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25852/01]

Earlier this year my Department sought, by way of a questionnaire to local authorities, specific information on the number of local authority rented dwellings which have full, partial or no central heating. Information has at this stage been received from most local authorities. However, further clarification of certain data is being pursued with the local authorities concerned with a view to definitive completion of the survey.

In 1994, local authorities were advised by my Department that full central heating should be provided in all new local authority dwellings. It is established practice with regard to older existing rented housing stock that the management, maintenance and improvement of such dwellings, including the installation of central heating, is the responsibility of the local authority. For this purpose, authorities may use the full proceeds of their rental income and miscellaneous housing receipts, supplemented, as necessary, from their general revenue resources. The most recent statistics available from local authorities indicate that they spent some £146 million – 185 million – on the management and maintenance of their rented stock in 2000.

While responsibility for management and maintenance rests with the local authority, my Department provides 100% capital funding to authorities under the remedial works scheme to assist them to carry out major works to designated housing estates, mainly pre-1960 and rundown urban estates. The installation of central heating may form part of the works undertaken in such cases. In addition to the funding available under the remedial works scheme, local authorities may seek my Department's approval for 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 pro vision of central heating to their dwellings. A number of local authorities have used and continue to use this approach to install central heating in their rented dwellings.
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