HC Deb 06 November 1987 vol 121 cc934-5W
Mr. McGrady

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the Housing Executive policy on the fencing of old people's dwellings in the areas covered by the following district offices: Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry District 2.

Mr. Needham

This is a matter for the chairman of the Housing Executive who has advised me that fencing is provided where it is required on welfare grounds or where a danger exists or as part of an environmental improvement scheme for a particular area.

Mr. McGrady

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what programme the Housing Executive intends to implement to deal with rural unfitness in Northern Ireland; and, of the current stock, how many houses in the areas covered by the following offices are unfit in rural areas; Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2.

Mr. Needham

The chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has advised me that the executive has a range of programmes aimed at reducing unfitness generally. These include public sector replacement building where need is justified and support to the private sector through the renovation grants scheme.

In 1986 the executive relaxed the demolition guidelines to enable more rural unfit dwellings to qualify for grant aid and also introduced wind and weather-proofing grants for those unfit rural properties which still do not qualify for normal renovation grants on account of their structural condition.

Arising from the Roslea study which was published earlier this year, a copy of which is available in the Library, the executive has set up a rural action team in West Fermanagh. This provides technical and financial advice to private owners seeking to repair and improve their houses as well as the usual grants service.

The Housing Executive has no unfit dwellings in the specific areas.

Mr. McGrady

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Housing Executive houses have been sold in 1986–87 in the areas covered by the following district offices: Downpatrick, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newry district 1 and Newry district 2.

Mr. Needham

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I understand from the chairman that the number of houses sold in these areas in 1986–87 was:

Number
Downpatrick 117
Kilkeel 47
Banbridge 51
Newry 1 102
Newry 2 131

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