§ Mr. McGradyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of contractors' work is inspected after improvement work is carried out to Housing Executive dwellings in the areas covered by the following district offices: Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2; and if he is satisfied that this process results in value for money and a proper standard of workmanship.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis is a matter for the chairman of the Housing Executive who has advised me that all dwellings in improvement schemes are inspected on completion of 779W the works and at the end of a defects liability period. The executive is satisfied that its inspection arrangements result in value for money and a proper standard of workmanship.
§ Mr. McGradyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current policy on the improvement of labourers' cottages in Northern Ireland; and how many unimproved labourers' cottages are part of Housing Executive stock in the areas covered by the following district offices: Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis is a matter for the chairman of the Housing Executive who has informed me that current policy is to carry out full improvements to labourers' cottages where possible subject to normal value for money considerations. The executive is aware of only one cottage in the districts in question on which no improvements have been carried out.
§ Mr. McGradyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new houses the Housing Executive will construct in the financial year 1987–88 in the areas covered by the following district offices: Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis is primarily a matter for the Housing Executive. I understand from the chairman that in the 1987–88 financial year the Housing Executive expects to complete or start dwellings in the areas covered by these district offices as follows:
District Office Planned completions Planned starts Downpatrick 31 31 Kilkeel — 11 Banbridge 22 44 Newry No. 1 8 31 Newry No. 2 9 33
Mr. McCradyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many handicapped adaptations applications have been received in the areas covered by the following offices during 1987–88: Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2; for what types of adaptations applications are made; how many of these have been completed; what agencies are involved in the process and how long it takes to process a handicapped adaptation.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis a matter for the chairman of the Housing Executive, who has informed me that the number of handicapped adaptations applications received in respect of both private and public dwellings in the areas referred to during the period April 1987 to September 1987 was as follows:—
Number Downpatrick 52 Banbridge 60 Kilkeel 233 Newry 1 Newry 2 Separate figures for applications received in Kilkeel and the two Newry district offices, and the numbers of these applications which have been completed are not readily available but I will ask the chairman of the Executive to write to the hon. Member on both these points.
780WThe type of adaptations requested range from minor works such as provision of handrails or the fitting of locks and handles at convenient levels, to major renovations involving provision of an extension for kitchen, bathroom or bedroom facilities.
In dealing with such applications the Housing Executive works closely with the appropriate health and social services board, district council and Northern Ireland Fire Authority.
The time scale from receipt of an initial request to on-site completion varies considerably according to the complexity of each case. Minor works can he undertaken within a relatively short period. For major works to public sector houses, allowing for consultations, design, statutory approvals and contract period the average would be 1½ to 2 years.