Simon Power MP
National Party Law & Order Spokesman

8 August 2006

Corrections throws more heat than light on under-floor heating saga

Despite claiming that under-floor heating in prisons is cost-efficient, Corrections cannot reveal how much it cost to install, says National's Law &Order spokesman, Simon Power.

“There was huge public interest when I revealed that the four new prisons had under-floor heating back in June, but after six weeks the Minister still cannot tell New Zealand how much it has cost,” says Mr Power.

In answer to written questions, Corrections Minister Damien O’Connor said the cost of under-floor heating ‘cannot be separated from the integrated infrastructure that supports it’.

Under-floor heating costs approximately $8,000 for a three-bedroom home, and only 4% of New Zealand houses have it.

“Surely someone has been paid for this work, which means that somewhere the Corrections Department has an invoice.

“Mind you, under the profligate ‘Collaborative Working Arrangements’ used to contract out construction work on the prisons, Corrections doesn’t appear to know where any of the $490 million blow-out has been spent.

“In the interests of getting to the truth of the prisons budget blow-out, I can only hope that the State Services Commission and Treasury have managed to overcome these obstacles in the course of their inquiry,” says Mr Power.

ENDS

Attached: Parliamentary question 08129 (2006)

08129 (2006) Published - Corrections - Normal Reply

Question: Further to his response to question for written answer 6502 (2006), what was the cost? Portfolio: Corrections

Minister: Hon Damien O'Connor

Date Lodged:28/06/2006

Answer Text: A discrete cost for the installation of under floor heating can not be separated from the integrated infrastructure that supports it. I am advised that the annual energy operating cost for under floor heating is estimated to be approximately 30% lower compared to conventional heating methods.

Attachment: None

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