HC Deb 19 July 2004 vol 424 cc107-9W
Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties were sold in each of the past five years to tenants who were(a) in full receipt of housing benefit, (b) in partial receipt of housing benefit and (c) not in receipt of housing benefit. [183508]

Mr. Spellar

Historical information is not readily available in the form requested. However, since the Northern Ireland Housing Executive began to collect this information in July 2003, the figures are as follows:

Of a total of 4,752 house sales: 1,823 applicants were in receipt of full housing benefit 492 were in receipt of partial housing benefit 2,437 were not in receipt of housing benefit.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties have been sold in each year since 1998 to joint tenancy of more than two joint tenants. [183509]

Mr. Spellar

This information is not available.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties have been bought by their occupiers with a discount. [183510]

Mr. Spellar

The information requested is not readily available. However, the Housing Executive estimates that approximately 97 per cent. of the 109,245 houses sold from the introduction of the house sales scheme in March 1981 would have been sold with a discount.

projects funded fully or partly by private finance initiatives. [166698]

Angela Smith

The following projects are fully funded by Private Finance Initiative:

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action will be taken to resolve the problem of waiting times for Housing Executive grant assessments. [183059]

Mr. Spellar

Preliminary work has been undertaken on the 'Modernising the Private Sector Improvement Services' project, the main aim of which is to streamline the grants process and make the process easier for applicants. Detailed work is planned to start as soon as possible following the approval of the Housing Executive's overall Modernising Services Business Plan. This is expected to take place within the next few months and it is anticipated the Grants Project will be complete two years after that.

In the meantime, work is continuing on streamlining procedures particularly in relation to Disabled Facilities Grants. In addition the Grants Service is engaged in a Charter Mark strategy with the aim of having all Grants Offices meeting the standard by early 2006. This follows the success of the Craigavon office in achieving a Charter Mark in 2003.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the weaknesses identified in the Auditor General's Report, NIA 41/03, HC 673 on the financial control and monitoring of grants paid to registered housing associations. [183061]

Mr. Spellar

In summary, the Auditor General's report identified weaknesses relating mainly to certifications submitted by Housing Associations, procedural issues, supporting evidence, control and monitoring arrangements by both the Department and Housing Associations.

The Report how ever also acknowledged the work that had been and was being done to address these issues.

The Department for Social Development is continuing to implement the full range of measures agreed with the Auditor General.

Full details of the Auditor General's findings are contained in his Report which was laid before Parliament in November last year and a copy of which is available in the Library.