Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 February 2013
467. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that has been spent over the past five years on retrofitting housing stock; if there is a plan for a new stimulus package this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10292/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department supports a broad range of measures aimed at improving the standard and quality of the social housing stock, including the regeneration of large estates and flat complexes in urban areas, estate-wide remedial works and the retrofitting of older houses and apartments. Over the period 2008 – 2012, some €953 million was recouped to local authorities in respect of projects completed under these measures.
Since the energy retrofitting measure was introduced in 2009, funding of almost €100 million has been provided to local authorities for the retrofitting of older and substandard housing stock. Over that period, some 7,760 dwellings have been improved.
I am currently reviewing the terms of the energy retrofitting measure for 2013 with a view to targeting grants at those older houses and apartments which lack adequate insulation and draught proofing. Local authorities will be asked to pay particular attention to dwellings which accommodate older people and people with disabilities. My Department will issue revised guidelines to local authorities in the context of the capital allocations under the housing programme for 2013. Work is currently underway in this regard and I intend to advise individual authorities of their capital allocations as soon as possible.
