Kilkenny Borough Council was given approval in October 2001 to accept a tender to undertake refurbishment work to a pilot phase of three houses at Ossory Park, Kilkenny, at an estimated cost of €230,000 under my Department's remedial works scheme. My Department was subsequently informed by the council in September 2002 that it had negotiated an extension to the contract for refurbishment work to a further ten houses. Work has been completed on only six houses. To assist further consideration of a revised proposal the council was requested to explain its decision to increase the number of houses in the pilot phase from three to 13 houses without the prior approval of my Department. Its response is awaited.
The Department recouped capital funding of €46,980 to the council in 2001. As much as €100,000 was allocated in respect of remedial works projects but no part of this allocation was drawn down in 2002. The financial allocations for 2003 in relation to the remedial works scheme will be notified to local authorities in due course. Any further phases of remedial works in this estate will be considered in the light of an evaluation of the current pilot phase.
