§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce the age at which houses may qualify for improvement or repair grants.
§ Mr. NeedhamAs part of a forthcoming draft housing order, the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is considering changes to the house renovation grants scheme comparable to those recently introduced in England and Wales under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
These changes provide for all dwellings over 10 years old to qualify for renovation grant aid: dwellings requiring provision for or adaptations to meet the needs of a disabled person are exempt from this criterion.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to change the year specified within the regulations of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's home improvement and repair grant schemes as the threshold year for entry to the grant scheme.
§ Mr. NeedhamWithin the terms of the present legislation, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive exercises its discretion to target the availability of grant-aid towards those persons and properties most in need. In doing so, it has, in certain instances, restricted the availability of grant-aid to properties built before certain specified dates.
However, as part of the forthcoming housing order, the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is considering changes to the house renovation grants scheme comparable to those recently introduced in England and Wales under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
These changes would provide for all dwellings over 10 years old to qualify for renovation grant aid: dwellings where works are required to meet the needs of a disabled person are exempt from this criterion.