asked the Minister for Local Government if he will provide grants to persons whose homes are solely dependent on electricity, gas or oil to enable them to use solid fuel and also to provide for the insulation of their homes in order to reduce the high costs of heating.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Heating Costs.
22.
On 16th October, 1974, I announced that I had obtained the approval of the Government to the waiving of the 15-year limiting period in order to allow householders to qualify for a reconstruction grant for the provision of a fireplace, stove or other appliance, burning solid fuel, in a house without such an appliance. This is intended to reduce personal hardship on householders and, it is hoped, to lower dependence on fuel oils. This grant has always been available in cases to which the 15-year limiting period did not apply.
At my request, the question of the insulation of houses against heat loss is being investigated by An Foras Forbartha in conjunction with the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. A decision on the application of housing grants towards the cost of insulation will be taken in the light of the findings of the investigation.
Could the Minister indicate approximately when he would expect to be in a position to make a decision on the question of grants for insulation?
I could not give an exact date but I have asked An Foras to let me have a decision as quickly as possible. We want this information before the winter becomes really hard. I hope to have it available before that.