Local Authority Housing Standards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2013

Thursday, 24 October 2013

Ceisteanna (190)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

190. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Leitrim County Council is failing in its duty of care towards a disabled person (details supplied) in County Leitrim by failing to provide adequate heating facilities which will heat this person’s county council house in a manner which all medical advice prescribes as vital for the person's survival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45445/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Under my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated funding each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the standard and overall quality of their social housing stock, including the regeneration of large social housing estates and flat complexes, estate-wide remedial works schemes, and funding for extensions and adaptations to meet the needs of tenants with a disability. Funding is also provided by my Department for a programme of works aimed at improving the overall standard and energy efficiency of the housing stock. This year I allocated just over €1.024 million to Leitrim County Council for spending on remedial and retrofitting works to the housing stock.

It is a matter for Leitrim County Council to decide on the appropriate form of heating for the property in question, having regard to the particular needs of the household involved.