§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to improve the housing stock in Donemana, County Tyrone. [HL4123]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe Housing Executive currently has 140 dwellings in 12 locations in Donemana. All stock built prior to 1970 has already been modernised. Stock built after 1970 is kept up to current standards through planned maintenance schemes. The entire stock has either had an external cyclic maintenance contract completed or is included in a scheme planned up to and including 2006–07. 113WA External cyclic maintenance involves carrying out work to the external fabric of the dwelling and its immediate surroundings on a five-year cycle.
In addition, the Housing Executive is also making significant progress with its rural cottage replacement initiative. This work is being carried out by the housing association sector. Work is scheduled to start within the next two months on the replacement of three cottages at 146 and 148 Lisnarragh Road and 14 Cavancreagh Road. Replacement of a further four cottages in the Donemana area is included in the housing association schedule of work for 2005–06.
The Housing Executive's home improvement grants scheme is one of the main tools for tackling unfit housing, with a variety of grants available for the improvement and repair of homes within the private sector. However, information regarding these grants is only available by district council area and cannot therefore be provided specifically for the Donemana area.
Private sector housing development has not been a major feature of the housing market in the area over the past few years and has been mainly confined to individual dwellings. However, in the past year, three small schemes, with a total of 20 dwellings, have been built within the village of Donemana itself.