Vol. 550 No. 1
16 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason his Department continues to grant aid solid fuel cookers and heaters in local authority houses; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these cookers and heaters are not suitable for the burning of smokeless fuels; the action he intends to take to bring these households in line with his stated policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1156/02]
The selection of appropriate heating systems for installation in new local authority housing is a matter for the relevant local authority. My Department issued guidelines in relation to the design of social housing to all local authorities in 1999. The guidelines advised local authorities to take account of a number of factors when determining the most appropriate heating system in their houses. These include the expected capital and running costs, servicing and maintenance costs and the preferences of likely occupants. Local authorities were also asked to have regard to aspects such as efficiency in use, ease of operation and expected emissions of smoke, CO2 and other harmful emissions.
The guidelines also recommend that, where natural gas is available on site, it should generally be the preferred fuel for space and water heating. In addition, local authorities were asked to consider alternatives such as solar panels or other renewable energy technology, where economical and practicable.
In relation to smoke control areas, local authorities were requested to ensure that open fire and other solid fuel appliances used in such areas are capable of burning smokeless fuels. I am not aware of local authorities failing to follow this guidance.
