Vol. 459 No. 6
40 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, that has been made in the development of a programme to improve energy conservation in local authority housing which currently has low thermal efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18593/95]
A programme to improve energy conservation in local authority housing is being developed by my Department in consultation with the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications. The programme will, in particular, address the problem of low thermal efficiency of some local authority dwellings. The needs of the elderly will be specially considered in this context. The context of the programme must recognise that securing improvement, in a structural sense, to houses which have low thermal efficiency would require the commitment of considerable resources. In the current situation of limited finances and other pressing priorities in relation to housing, it will be necessary that the programme rely on securing implementation of relatively inexpensive good practices which can contribute to increased thermal efficiency.
The thermal efficiency of certain local authority dwellings is being upgraded as part of major structural works carried out under the Remedial Works Scheme. I have also allocated funds, under the housing management grants scheme which I introduced this year, to assist South Dublin County Council carry out a pilot project to promote the effective use of energy in two local authority estates.
