Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2004
176 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if additional funding can be provided to local authorities to enable them to proceed with the processing of insulation grants for older houses. [13959/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra
My Department does not provide grants specifically for insulating houses. Many effective measures to improve energy efficiency in houses can be achieved at negative or zero equivalent annual cost to the householder. The national climate change strategy provides for intensification of educational and awareness programmes, being undertaken by Sustainable Energy Ireland, to promote these options and to fill the existing information gap for consumers.
The standards of insulation required in new housing have been progressively improved in 1982, 1991, 1997 and, most recently, following the 2002 revision of the statutory building regulations.
Since 1976 all new local authority housing has been built with wall cavity and attic and floor insulation in accordance with the building regulations in force at the time. My Department financially assists local authorities in upgrading, renovating and redeveloping their housing stock through the remedial works scheme and funding for regeneration and redevelopment projects. Works under the remedial works scheme must comply with building regulations. Where an extensive programme of refurbishment works is carried out, measures are taken to improve thermal insulation in accordance with the building regulations.
