§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the total numbers of (a) families, (b) single parent families, (c) single households and (d) people of pensionable age or over living in the Divis flats at present; and what were the respective annual totals in each category from 1968 for the years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Needham[pursuant to his reply, 24 March 1986]: The information is as follows:
- (a) 251 families
- (b) 108 single parent families
- (c) 133 single households
- (d) 158 heads of households of pensionable age or over
These figures are based on a 71 per cent. response to a 1980 survey by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive of the 700 households in the 12 deck access blocks in Divis. Figures for other years since 1968 are not available.
§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's estimates for the Divis flats of (a) the total cost of refurbishing the whole complex, (b) the total cost of the combination of refurbishment and demolition currently proposed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and (c) the average cost per dwelling, including loan and interest charges, for refurbishment, given a 30-year estimated life span.
§ Mr. Needham[pursuant to his reply, 24 March 1986]: (a) £5 million (estimated) excluding Pound and St. Brendans due for demolition, (b) Milford block pilot refurbishment £800,000 (estimated). Demolition of Pound and St. Brendans—up to date figure not yet available, (c) £11,000–£12,000 (estimated) per dwelling.
§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residents in the Divis flats have been 431W subject to action under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) in each year from 1968 to the present.
§ Mr. Needham[pursuant to his reply, 24 March 1986]: During the 12 months up to 21 March 1986, 195 residents were subject to action under the Act. Figures for earlier years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the current levels of arrears and the number of tenants in arrears in payments for (a) rents, (b) rates and (c) heating by type in the Divis complex and the annual averages from 1968 for the years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Needham[pursuant to his reply, 24 March 1986]: The available information is as follows:
- (a) and (b) Current rent and rates arrears £127,502–327 debtors.
- (c) Current district heating arrears £140,463–145 debtors.
§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the numbers of (a) illegal tenancies and (b) tenancies for which the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has issued use and occupation books in the Divis complex at the present time; and what are the annual averages of each from 1968 for the years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Needham[pursuant to his reply, 24 March 1986]: The available information is as follows:
- (a) There were 19 illegal occupants at 21 March 1986.
- (b) Nineteen.
§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the figures for the number of dwellings in the Divis complex (a) occupied, (b) under-occupied, (c) overcrowded and (d) vacant at the present time; and what was the annual average in each category from 1968 for the years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Needham[pursuant to his reply, 24 March 1986]: The available information is as follows:
- (a) 562
- (b) 61
§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the average annual costs from 1968 for the years for which figures are available of (a) repairs, (b)maintenance and (c) services for the Divis flats, each according to (i) total, (ii) emergency work, (iii) normal work, A list and (iv) planned work, B list.
Size 2 person 3 person 4 person 5 person 6 person 7 person 8 person House 14,128 17,683 17,103 18,759 20,080 32,644 34,878 External works 2,729 2,729 2,729 2,729 2,729 2,729 2,729 Site development works 2,982 2,982 2,982 2,982 2,982 2,982 2,982 19,839 23,394 22,814 24,470 25,791 38,355 40,589 Fees 1,786 2,105 2,053 2,202 2,321 3,452 3,653 £21,625 25,499 24,867 26,672 28,112 41,807 44,242 (b) The information in the form requested in the form is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
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§ Mr. Needham[pursuant to his reply, 24 March 1986]: The information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residents of the Divis flats have received (a) certificated housing benefit, (b) housing benefit supplement and (c) standard housing benefit since November 1983; and what are the total amounts in each category paid to Divis residents since the introduction of housing benefit.
§ Mr. Needham[pursuant to his reply, 24 March 1986]: The available information is as follows:
- (a) 415 residents are in receipt of certificated housing benefit.
- (b) 36 residents of Divis are in receipt of housing benefit supplement.
- (c) 135 residents are in receipt of standard housing benefit.
§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's estimates of (a) total costs and (b) the breakdown of costs for (i) the total demolition of the Divis flats. (ii) the demolition of the two blocks currently under consideration and (iii) the building of two storey houses to replace the existing flats, including any land, consultant and other significant costs.
§ Mr. Needham[pursuant to his reply, 24 March 1986]: (a) The Northern Ireland Housing Executive does not consider total demolition of all the deck access blocks at Divis an appropriate solution—no costs for total demolition or replacement housing are available.
(b) Up-to-date figures for the demolition of Pound and St. Brendans are not available.