COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, May 17, 2010

QUESTION NO 16.

QUESTION: Councillor S. Crowe

"To ask the Manager if  it was agreed to replace the windows in homes of *details supplied (A & B), when they moved into their homes and if it was agreed that topsoil would also  be supplied   to (B)  for the garden when they moved in to their homes approxmately one and half years ago?"  

REPLY:

Prior to a casual vacancy being re-allocated the Council carries out repairs in line with the Council’s re-let policy.  The amount of repairs depends on the condition and age of house. 

House A was allocated in June 2008 and extensive repairs were carried out prior to its allocation. There was no commitment made to replace the windows at the time of allocation.  The Council’did carry out a survey of that estate in April 2008 with the intention of replacing all windows in the estate requiring replacement and the house in question was included in that programme. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints this programme was withdrawn.  

House B was allocated  in June 2008.  Extensive re- let repairs were carried out to this property in line with the Council’s re-let housing policy.  There was no commitment made to replace the windows at this property either because of Council's  intention to do so under a proposed window programme detailed above.  The house was surveryed as part of that programme.  No committment was given to provide topsoil to this house.  

The Council allocated €1 million in funding for replacement of windows and doors from the 2009 budget.  This funding is being used solely to replace the most needy windows and doors for applicants who are on a list in housing maintenance going back to 2005.  Prior to work commencing the windows/doors are being examined and graded from 1(best) to 5 (worst).  Only those with a grade 5 are being replaced at present.  There are 595 applicants in total in the county.  The grading is ongoing at present and work is being undertaken on those identified as grade 5 in parallel.  Prior to work starting tenants  must have a clear rent account or be adhering to an arrangement to clear any arrears.

Inspection of the windows were carried out under this programme on the 7th January 2010 and the windows/doors received a grade 3 and will not be replaced under the current programme.