asked the Minister for Health if he will consider consulting with local authorities on the possible effect of central heating on respiratory diseases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Central Heating Effects.
31.
There is a large number of factors involved in the aetiology of respiratory diseases. I am not, however, aware that there is any proven seriously harmful effect in the area of respiratory disease attributable to central heating.
I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by consulting local authorities in this matter.
Is the Minister aware that in certain local authority flats, where the central heating is beyond the control of the tenants, there have been widespread reports of people suffering from chest complaints and being brought to hospital as a result, they say, of the effects of central heating?
I have asked people who know about respiratory diseases and I simply cannot get any evidence of this. We had one research report from Zürich University where conditions are totally different from what they are here. As I understand it, the level of humidity here is not such as to cause difficulties of the kind referred to by the Deputy. There does not appear to be a definite connection between central heating and its influence on respiratory diseases, but if the Deputy can produce any evidence from responsible people which results in my needing to make a further study of the matter I shall, of course, do so.
Would the Minister consider having a survey carried out?
This is a question of priorities. We do try and keep to some priorities because of the financial stringencies involved. I think medicine is sufficiently advanced in this country that if this particular matter became serious and there was definite evidence, the consultants concerned, or a group of them, would come to me and say that this matter should be further investigated and I would be very glad to do it.
There have been widespread complaints in the Ballymun housing scheme. Would the Minister consider asking the local authority to investigate the incidence of this complaint relating to the central heating in Ballymun?
We have already had one investigation into that. I shall check again with the chief medical officer of the Dublin Health Authority. When I inquired from him previously he said he was not aware of any increase of respiratory diseases connected with the central heating in Ballymun.
Is the Minister aware that the city medical officer has been inundated with requests for transfers from these flats on those grounds alone?
They could be transferred for other reasons. As I have said, I shall investigate it again.