Vol. 513 No. 1
119 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of local authority dwellings do not have central heating; the number of council houses in this regard; the plans, if any, he has to introduce a scheme for the provision of central heating in all local authority houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1589/00]
The management, maintenance and improvement of their existing dwellings, including the installation of central heating, is the responsibility of local authorities to be met from their own resources, and information is not available in my Department on the number of local authority houses which do not have a central heating installation. However, where capital funding is being provided under the remedial works scheme to assist authorities to carry out major structural works to designated estates, the installation of central heating in these houses may form part of the works undertaken. In addition, some authorities have been granted approval, on foot of specific proposals, to the use of their internal capital receipts to provide central heating in particular cases.
Local authorities were advised in February 1994 that full central heating should be provided in all new local authority housing as part of the overall cost of the schemes. The choice of heating system and fuel should be determined by the local authority primarily by reference to expected capital and running costs, including possible servicing and maintenance costs, and the preference of the likely occupants. social housing design guidelines issued in September 1999 also advised that the most usual choice of heating system will be a standard central heating system based on a single boiler for dwellings and heat distribution by hot water to radiators. Irrespective of the main space heating system and fuel used authorities have also been advised to give consideration to providing a secondary means of heating in the main living room.
I have no plans to change the existing funding arrangements.
