My Department introduced a programme in July 2004 for the installation of central heating in existing local authority rented dwellings. A sum of €12 million has been provided by my Department for the programme in 2004, and this has been allocated in response to applications from 69 local authorities.
Prior to this initiative, my Department has required, since 1994, that central heating be provided during construction in new local authority dwellings and included in the overall cost of schemes. Where capital funding is provided under regeneration and remedial programmes operated by my Department for upgrading of local authority dwellings, the provision of central heating may form part of the work undertaken.
More generally, the management, maintenance and improvement of their rented dwellings, including the installation of central heating, is, in general, the responsibility of local authorities to be financed from their own resources. The present initiative is an important enhancement of local authorities' own measures and will lead to the continued upgrading of the local authority housing stock.