COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
QUESTION NO. 13
QUESTION: Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh
To ask the Chief Executive for the number of applications made 'v' approved in 2021 for window/door replacement in the Palmerstown/Fonthill LEA, the total number now on file and once approved, the estimated timeline to being installed.
REPLY:
The Housing Maintenance Section carry out window and door replacement based on an established need with the priority for safety and achieving rental standards. Due to the size of the Council’s housing stock, it does not replace windows based on a tenant application process. Current replacement is considered under the following:
- Windows and Doors replacement Programme – A surveyed list of 400+ properties with poor performing windows and doors has been compiled of which approximately 80 have been identified in the Palmerstown/Fonthill LEA. Typically, the windows are single glazed timber or aluminium units in a state of poor repair. The replacement windows and doors are of a standard that can be incorporated easily to future energy efficiency works. The 2022 Works Program will aim to complete approximately 200 units across the county. Property locations will be confirmed once the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program for 2022 is finalised and approved.
- Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme – This is the first year of the program with the aim of bringing council properties, with poor energy efficiency performance, up to a B2 BER rating or cost optimal. As part of these works, the replacement of windows and doors are carried out as an element of a package of works to improve the overall energy efficiency of the property. 117 properties for the 2021 program of works were approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, of which 27 properties are in the Palmerstown/Fonthill LEA and will be completed by year end. The Council have identified 300 properties for submission for Departmental approval for the 2022 program, of which approximately 55 will be in the Palmerstown/Fonthill LEA.
- Tenant requests condition survey – In the case were a tenant requests that the property windows and doors be inspected, this is done to establish a need for repair or replace. The outcome of the survey identifies if some or all the windows and doors require maintenance, monitoring, immediate partial replacement or immediate full replacement. In the case where windows are of a condition that does not warrant an immediate replacement, they are placed on a monitoring program appropriate to the condition of the window. The section has received approximately 100 requests for surveys during 2021. The surveys are ongoing, and works have been completed based on established need. Additional staffing resources have been allocated reently to the section to assist in the survey requests and undertake the monitoring program. Properties surveyed in previous years will be included as part of the montioring programme.
It should be noted, where a one-off property has been identified for partial of full window and door replacement, to ensure cost-effective delivery, it will be examined for possible inclusion as part of the next available tender package for Window and Door Replacement. In the event urgent partial or full replacement windows and doors are required, the works will be carried out as part of response maintenance works, to ensure the issue is resolved in a timely fashion.