Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 1

Written Answers. - Dublin Corporation Flats.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

172 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that considerable numbers of senior citizens living in Dublin Corporation flats have no central heating, that apart from the cost and inconvenience caused, elderly and sometimes incapacitated people are being endangered by having to keep solid or open fuel fires; the plans, if any, he has to give Dublin Corporation a special allocation to allow them to commence a programme of central heating installation in order that all complexes can be converted within a five year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12509/96]

Mary Flaherty

Ceist:

175 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to give a special housing allocation to Dublin Corporation to allow the conversion to gas central heating in senior citizen complexes in view of the danger associated with many of the existing solid fuel installations. [12530/96]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Ms McManus)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 175 together. The management, maintenance and improvement of their dwellings, including the installation of central heating, is the responsibility of local authorities. Under the remedial works scheme, however, funding is available to assist authorities in carrying out major structural works to designated housing estates, and the installation of central heating may be an element in such works. Allocations totalling over £58 million have been made so far to Dublin Corporation under the scheme. There are no other funds available to my Department for this purpose.