HC Deb 16 December 1992 vol 216 cc323-4W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long it takes to process, at the Newry and Lisburn Housing Executive grant offices, an application under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, for(a) an improvement grant, (b) a replacement grant and (c) a repair grant.

Mr. Atkins

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but the chief executive has advised me that, because the scheme is in its infancy, processing times have only been identified for two stages of the procedures. The time taken from the date a preliminary inquiry form is received until the applicant is told of his possible contribution to the work is about two weeks in both the Newry and Lisburn grant offices. If an applicant decides to proceed, the time taken for the inspection of his property to determine what work needs to be done and what work qualifies for grant aid is about four weeks in each office. A further four weeks is likely to be required to issue a schedule of works and a formal application form at which stage further progress rests with the applicant to complete the necessary documentation and return the application.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people made application for improvement, replacement and repair grant since 1 October under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 at the Newry and Lisburn grant offices; and of these how many were refused and what were the reasons for refusals.

Mr. Atkins

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive, but the chief executive has advised me that 495 and 426 preliminary inquiry forms have been received in the Newry and Lisburn grant offices respectively. He has also advised me that it is not possible at this time to establish which grants have been claimed, as categories of grant can only be established after a property had been inspected. Precise numbers of cases refused are not yet available, but a refusal would only be issued at the preliminary inquiry stage where a property meets the statutory fitness standard.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were refused application forms for improvement grant and repair under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 from 28 February to 30 September at the Newry and Lisburn grant offices.

Mr. Atkins

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive, but the chief executive has advised me that during the period 28 February to 30 September 1992 preliminary inquiries were refused by the executive in all offices throughout Northern Ireland. A record of inquiries refused was not kept.