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 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