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Friday 15 December 2000 Government Departments: Working Relations Mr Hay asked the Minister for Regional Development if it is his intention to enter into an agreement with any Government Department in England, Scotland or Wales regarding working relations since devolution. (AQW 780/00) The Minister for Regional Development (Mr Campbell): The Department for Regional Development and the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions (DETR) have a close working relationship across a wide spectrum of policy issues of common interest. With the advent of devolution it has been considered desirable to place this relationship onto a more formal footing. My Department and the DETR have therefore developed a bi-lateral concordat. The joint document is published today at Westminster and the Assembly. Copies have been placed in the respective libraries. Traffic Volumes: A4 Route Mrs Carson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail (a) traffic volumes on the A4 route between the end of the M1 motorway and Ballygawley roundabout in each of the last five years (b) the required level of traffic volume to justify construction of a dual carriageway (c) current proposals for major work schemes to improve the A4 and A5 roads and (d) what other schemes are being considered for possible inclusion in the Road Service’s 10 year forward planning schedule. (AQW 812/00) Mr Campbell: (a) The table shows the annual average daily traffic flow in vehicles per day (vpd) on the A4 route between the end of the M1 motorway and Ballygawley roundabout for the period 1995�:
(b) If a single carriageway is perceived to be giving less than an acceptable level of service in journey times, reliability, road safety etc, Roads Service will identify and assess options for improving the level of service taking into account factors such as traffic volumes, traffic mix and road alignment. The options may include dualling. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has concluded that a typical single carriageway trunk road will operate satisfactorily with only occasional peak period congestion with a traffic flow of up to approximately 18,000 vehicles per day. (c) The following major works schemes on the A4 and A5 routes are currently included in the Roads Service major works preparation pool:
(d) The following schemes on the A4 and A5 routes are being considered for possible inclusion in the Roads Service 10-year forward planning schedule:
Wastewater Treatment Works, Omagh Mr Doherty asked the Minister for Regional Development if, following his visit to Omagh on 27 September to discuss the concerns surrounding the wastewater treatment works at Hunter Crescent, he will outline his plans to address this situation and detail a timetable for action. (AQW 819/00) Mr Campbell: I was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with the council and the local residents groups, and to hear at first hand their concerns about the siting of the proposed new wastewater treatment works, Water Service is giving detailed consideration to the representations made and is presently carrying out further detailed costings and land valuations on the council’s preferred site. Consultants, commissioned by Water Service, have been liaising closely with council officials on this aspect. I wish to consider all of the issues very carefully, in view of the strong feeling expressed by the council and residents about the siting of the works. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement next month on the way ahead. Road Improvements: A8 Route Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline a time frame for the implementation of the package of road improvements on the A8 Belfast to Larne road between Ballyearl and Kilwaughter. (AQW 824/00) Mr Campbell: The implementation programme for this package of road improvements is subject to the successful completion of the statutory procedures and to the availability of funding. In this context and on the assumption that there are no major objections to the statutory procedures, work on the first element of the package — the proposed roundabouts at Antiville and Millbrook — is currently scheduled to commence in the Autumn 2001. Work on the other elements will commence in 2002/03. A8 Trans-European Network Mr K Robinson asked the Minister for Regional Development if he will give his assessment of the importance to the Northern Ireland economy of the A8 trans European network between Belfast and Larne and if he will ensure that this route will form an integral part of the 10-year regional transportation strategy. (AQW 825/00) Mr Campbell: The A8 Belfast to Larne road links Northern Ireland to external markets in Great Britain and the rest of Europe. As such, it is vital to the local economy where 99% of freight is carried by roads. In recognition of its economic importance, the Department had included in its major works preparation pool a package of measures totalling some £12 million for improvements along the route. The A8 is part of the upper tier of regionally important routes for rail and road traffic. I can confirm that the regional transportation strategy will reflect the role that these routes play in supporting and developing the Northern Ireland economy. Road Classification Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline the criteria applicable to designation of road classification (a) "A" (b) "B" (c) "C" and (d) "unclassified" roads in Northern Ireland. (AQW 838/00) Mr Campbell: Road classification dates back a very considerable time — pre-local government reorganisation — and its use today is limited to route identification. Any new road apart from a motorway would be classified on the basis of the comparable route classification in the area. Roads Service have been unable to find any historic record of how the classification system was determined originally, but it has no relevance to current funding allocations. Salmon and Eel Migration Mr McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development what contact he has had with the Minister of the Environment to ensure that salmon and eel migration patterns will be given due consideration during the construction of the millennium foot and cycle bridge across the River Bann. (AQW 844/00) Mr Campbell: Roads Service has informed me that the Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment was consulted during the design stage of the project. In particular the migration patterns of salmon and eels were discussed. It was agreed that no excavation works should be carried out between March and August in order to avoid the migration periods. A draft marine construction licence to this effect was issued on 16 December 1999 by the water quality branch of the Environment and Heritage Service. This was followed by the issue of the marine construction licence on 1 November 2000. The scheme began on 13 November 2000 and work on the river piers will begin in late December 2000 or early January 2001. All river works are due to be completed before the end of February 2001. Importance of A26 Road Mr McClarty asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment of the importance to the economic and tourist potential of the Coleraine and east Londonderry areas of the A26 road and rail network between Belfast and Coleraine and if he will ensure that this route will be included in the Road Service’s 10-year forward planning schedule. (AQW 845/00) Mr Campbell: My Department fully appreciates that efficient transport links between Belfast and Coleraine are vital to the economic prosperity of the areas in question. The importance of the route is recognised by its designation as a key transport corridor in the Department’s draft regional strategic framework. I can confirm that a number of schemes on the A26 are currently being assessed for possible inclusion in the Roads Service 10-year forward planning schedule. Traffic Volumes B82/B72 Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the most recent data available for traffic volumes on the B82/B72 — Enniskillen to Victoria Bridge route by vehicle type. (AQW 866/00) Mr Campbell: The table shows average daily traffic flows in vehicles per days (vpd) on sections of the B82/B72 route during 1997 and 1998:
The percentage of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) included in the daily traffic flows is shown in brackets in the table. This is the only information on vehicle types available to Roads Service for these roads. Road Criteria: B82/B72 Route Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development what proportion of the B82/B72 — Enniskillen to Victoria Bridge route — meets "A" road criteria. (AQW 867/00) Mr Campbell: The road classification system in Northern Ireland was inherited by Roads Service in 1973 following local government reorganisation. Roads Service has no records, however, of the criteria formerly used to classify roads and the classifications remaining in use today are largely for route identification purposes. As such, it is not possible to determine what proportion of the B82/B72 route would have met the old "A" class criteria. Low Water Pressure in Plumbridge Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development if he is aware of a lack of water pressure supply to the Dergbrough Road area, Plumbridge, and to outline his plans to address the situation. (AQW 868/00) Mr Campbell: Water Service is not currently aware of any problems with water pressure in the Dergbrough Road area of Plumbridge. Only two complaints about water pressure in the area have been received in the past few years and both were satisfactorily resolved. However, investigations are continuing and I will write to the Member with the outcome. Damaged Bridges: Numbers 181 and 1369 Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development when he became aware of infrastructural damage to bridge number 181, on the C677A, and bridge number 1369, on the B50. (AQW 869/00) Mr Campbell: I assume that the question relates to bridges 60181 and 61369 on the above routes. My Department’s Roads Service inspected the bridges in question in June 1999 as part of its general bridge inspection programme. Defects to the parapet walls on both bridges were identified, otherwise the bridges were found to be in good structural condition. Damaged Bridges: Numbers 181 and 1369 Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail arrangements for repair of infrastructural damage to bridge number 181, on the C677A, and bridge number 1369 on the B50. (AQW 870/00) Mr Campbell: I assume that the question relates to bridges 60181 and 61369 on the above routes. Repair work to the parapet walls on both bridges will be carried out as part of a larger scheme to replace a twin bridge culvert in Killen on the B72 Killen to Castlederg road. This work is programmed to commence in February 2001. Mains Water Supply: Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail the number of additional properties that have been connected to mains water supply, by constituency, as a result of the increase in financial allowance from £2,900 to £5,000 per property. (AQW 889/00) Mr Campbell: The reasonable cost allowance for connection of existing properties to the public water supply was increased from £2,900 to £5,000 on 4 May 2000. As a result of this increase 54 additional properties have now been connected. Water Service records of these properties are held on a district council basis and are summarised below.
Mains Water Supply: Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, by constituency, the number of requests for connection to mains water supply that have been refused on the basis of finance since 1 January 2000. (AQW 890/00) Mr Campbell: Since 1 January 2000, applications to connect 49 existing properties to the public water supply have been refused as the costs involved were in excess of the reasonable cost allowance. Water Service records of these properties are held on a district council basis and are summarised below.
Applications for a further 26 properties are currently being considered. Mains Water Supply: Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail, by constituency, the estimated number of properties not having access to mains water supplies. (AQW 891/00) Mr Campbell: The information requested is not available on a constituency basis. Based mainly on census information, Water Service estimates that over 98·5% of households are connected to the public water supply. Approximately 6,000 households are not connected. Water Service is currently engaged in a study to identify how many properties are not connected in the Omagh District Council area. This study should enable a more accurate figure to be determined for the total number of properties across Northern Ireland that are not connected. Westlink: Traffic Flow Mr McNamee asked the Minister for Regional Development what information Roads Service has on traffic flow figures on the Westlink in terms of volume, origin of journey and destination. (AQW 894/00) Mr Campbell: Traffic flows are monitored on the M1 /Westlink corridor at a number of locations using automatic traffic counters. The weekday daily traffic flow — two-way — on the Westlink, between the Broadway and Grosvenor Road junctions, is currently in the region of 63,000 vehicles and the two-way peak hour flow is up to 4,500 vehicles. Roads Service’s data on travel patterns is based on information on the M1 close to Westlink. It provides details, in percentage terms, of inbound and outbound traffic in terms of origin and destination during the morning and evening peak periods. For illustrative purposes, this information indicates that over 50% of all journeys, approaching Belfast from the south in the morning peak, originate from the area towards the west of the province, almost 25% originate from the A1 corridor —Banbridge, Newry and beyond — to the south. Approximately 27% of all journeys in the morning peak have a destination of the city centre, while almost 15% terminate in the harbour/ docks area. Transport Investment: Rural Regeneration Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to give his assessment on the impact on rural regeneration of transport investment. (AQW 903/00) Mr Campbell: A key aim of the regional development strategy is to guide future development in ways that promote a balanced and equitable pattern of sustainable regeneration across Northern Ireland. To facilitate this, the strategy identifies a new core strategic transport network. This network provides the skeletal framework for the future development of the whole region connecting all the main centres of economic and social activity. The enhancement of the strategic network will play a fundamental part in strengthening the attractiveness of rural towns as centres for regeneration and related investment and services for their wider rural communities. In addition to improving the accessibility of rural settlements the strategy also recommends examining initiatives to develop rural transport services to raise the quality of rural bus connections and partnerships between community transport and public transport providers especially for disadvantaged remoter areas. The regional transportation strategy will assess the consequences of adopting alternative transport strategies with differing levels of investment. The strategy will include an assessment of the broad impacts on rural areas. Already the Department’s rural transport fund is supporting improvements to public transport in rural areas. The objective of the fund is to reduce social exclusion by improving transport opportunities for people with reduced mobility. Grant aid has been provided to Ulsterbus for the purchase of 10 new minibuses for use in rural areas and the fund is currently subsidising services on 28 new routes operated by Ulsterbus. With assistance from the fund, 12 rural community transport partnerships, located across Northern Ireland, are operating services using 20 fully accessible minibuses, provided by the Department. Proposals submitted by another five partnerships are being examined by the Department. Road Repairs: Backlog Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail his plans to address the backlog of road repairs. (AQW 904/00) Mr Campbell: I am very conscious that I have inherited a significant road maintenance backlog and that existing levels of funding fall far short of what is required. This has been confirmed by the recent Northern Ireland Audit Office report on structural maintenance. My Department has only 50% of the funds necessary to maintain the roads and a backlog of £100 million. The structural integrity of the road network is one of my top departmental priorities and I will continue to press for additional funding for road maintenance at every opportunity. Roads Service Major Works Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development to detail those schemes in the Roads Service major works preparation pool that will not commence in order of priority due to a shortfall in funding. (AQW 919/00) Mr Campbell: My statement on 15 November 2000 about the availability of funding for major road schemes was simply to alert the public that although the draft Budget had proposed sufficient resources for such schemes in the financial year 2001/02, the schemes would require certainty of funding to be completed in the subsequent two years. It would appear from the indicative budgets for the following two years that some schemes may have to be deferred. I can assure you, however, that my Department’s Roads Service is continuing to progress the schemes included in the major works preparation pool through their necessary statutory processes. The order in which schemes will be admitted to the construction programme will be dependent on their relative priorities and the funding available at the time the statutory processes are completed. At this stage, it is not possible to identify the specific schemes that might have to be deferred if the funding issue is not resolved. Carrickfergus Sewerage System Upgrade Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has any plans to upgrade the sewer system in the Carrickfergus and Whitehead areas. (AQW 923/00) Mr Campbell: Water Service is progressing a programme of 105 drainage area studies across Northern Ireland, to determine the extent and cost of improvements to the sewerage network in order to cope with future demands on the system, reduce the risk of flooding, and meet environmental objectives. A drainage area study of the Carrickfergus sewerage system was completed recently and the proposals are presently being discussed with the Environment and Heritage Service, whose consent is required for discharges from the system to local watercourses and Belfast Lough. A drainage area study of the Whitehead sewerage system is programmed to commence in March 2001 and is expected to be completed by October 2002. Water Service has to prioritise its capital investment plans to meet its statutory duties and increasing environmental standards arising mainly from EU Directives. Given current funding levels and priorities, it is unlikely that the general upgrading of the sewerage network in the Carrickfergus and Whitehead areas can start before 2006. Water Service has, however, commissioned consultants to investigate areas, which are susceptible to flooding, to determine if cost-effective interim solutions are possible in advance of any general network upgrading. Seven areas in Carrickfergus and three within Whitehead are covered by the investigation. The consultants are expected to report by April 2001 and it is intended that any solutions identified will be implemented by the end of 2003. City-Vitality-Sustainability (CIVITAS) Mr Hussey asked the Minister for Regional Development if he has any plans to make application for funding via the European Commission’s "CIVITAS" (City-Vitality- Sustainability) programme. (AQW 926/00) Mr Campbell: My officials are aware of this new initiative and are currently investigating the opportunities it presents and whether there is scope for the Northern Ireland transport sector to apply for funding. I understand that any city or city region wishing to participate in the initiative is required to commit itself to implementing packages of integrated measures, possibly including access restrictions for polluting vehicles, charging for urban roads, encouraging new types of mobility, and promoting clean and efficient urban public transport. Any proposed package must be capable of achieving a significant change in modal split and in tackling congestion across the whole city. This is all entirely appropriate to my Department’s transportation vision of achieving "a modern, sustainable, safe transport system which benefits society, the regional economy and the environment and which actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone’s quality of life". It appears to link with the work already being done to develop a ten-year regional transport strategy for Northern Ireland. Any proposals are required to contain clear evidence of political consensus and support. Selected projects will receive 35% EU funding of the allowable costs, which are clearly linked to the proposed activities, and additional to normal investments and operations. Further investigations will determine whether this initiative is worth pursuing. Concession Road, Cullaville, Co Armagh Mr Fee asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline his plans to improve road safety along Concession Road, Cullaville, Co Armagh. (AQO 514/00) Mr Campbell: As this is a matter for the Department for Regional Development, your question has been forwarded to me for reply. My Department’s Roads Service proposes to carry out a combined traffic calming/accident remedial scheme along Concession Road, Cullaville. The proposed scheme will include gateway features, carriageway markings and central hatching which will promote reduced vehicular speeds along Concession Road and will also improve junction safety. I understand that preliminary design of the scheme is nearing completion and consultation with elected representatives and local residents is programmed to commence in the near future. The scheme is programmed for 2001/02. Disabled Adaptations Mr Shannon asked the Minister for Social Development if he will consider changing the system for those awaiting disabled adaptations and to prioritise those in most need. (AQW 820/00) The Minister for Social Development (Mr Morrow): Yes. A fundamental review of the adaptations service is currently being undertaken by the Housing Executive and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. A preliminary report of the review recommends a number of changes to the system and these are currently under consideration. Housing Executive Unoccupied Dwellings Mr Adams asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of unoccupied Housing Executive dwellings by housing district in the Greater Belfast area. (AQW 837/00) Mr Morrow: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive whose chief executive has advised me that that the information requested is set out in the attached table. It provides the number of vacant dwellings in each Housing Executive district in the Greater Belfast area by reason for vacancy together with a brief synopsis of why the dwellings are vacant. For the purpose of this analysis, Greater Belfast includes all Belfast districts together with the districts at Newtownabbey 1 and 2, Castlereagh and Lisburn Dairy Farm, ie, Twinbrook and Poleglass. Awaiting re-let These properties are normally only vacant for a short period of time following the termination of the previous tenancy and are either in the process of being allocated or are undergoing urgent or minor change of tenancy repairs. Major Change of Tenancy Repairs These dwellings are in need of major repairs following the termination of the previous tenancies. The repairs will usually be completed within four to six weeks Improvement Schemes Most of these dwellings are currently undergoing major improvement works or are included in schemes, which are about to go on site. The properties are usually vacant for a short period only, prior to the commencement of the works. A smaller number have been earmarked for schemes not due to go on site in the immediate future. Used for Decanting These properties are being used to support current improvement schemes by enabling tenants to be temporarily rehoused while works are being carried out. For Sale These properties have been placed on market for sale because it has not been possible to let them. Used by the Security Forces These are flats that have been secured to facilitate the security forces in the block situated at Divis Tower: Belfast 3. Difficult to let — normally vacant less than six months. Unlettable/Blocked Up — Normally vacant "A" months Most of these properties are located in areas with letting difficulties, due to lack of demand, or areas where housing need has been met: those categorised as "unlettable" have been blocked up either to prevent vandalism or as a result of being vandalised.
Essential Travel Costs Mr Gibson asked the Minister for Social Development if he will provide an allowance to those in receipt of income support in rural areas to take account of the essential travel costs that they incur and if he will make a statement. (AQW 854/00) Mr Morrow: Income support is an income-related benefit intended to help people whose resources are insufficient to meet their daily living expenses. There are no separate amounts for specific items of expenditure, such as travelling expenses included in income support rates. People are free to choose for themselves how they wish to spend their benefit as their individual circumstances require. For anyone who is getting income support, help with travel costs may be available in certain circumstances, such as attending hospital for treatment or visiting a relative in hospital or residential home. There are no plans to introduce a separate allowance to those in receipt of income support in rural areas to cover travel costs. Winter Fuel Payment Ms Lewsley asked the Minister for Social Development if he has any plans to include people with disabilities in the winter fuel payment scheme. (AQW 855/00) Mr Morrow: Winter fuel payments are paid to older people who are most at risk from the effects of cold weather. Disabled people who satisfy the qualifying conditions are already included in the scheme. The scheme has been extended this year to include both men and women aged 60 and over and the need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit has been removed. There are no plans to extend the scheme further. Disabled people can already receive disability benefits, and the disability premium in income-related benefits, in recognition of their extra costs. Also, cold weather payments are made to vulnerable groups, including people who get disability premium in their income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance regardless of age, when there is severe weather in their area. Disability Living Allowance Mr Fee asked the Minister for Social Development if, in relation to disability living allowance (DLA), he will detail (a) the total number of applications which were made in each month since April 1998 (b) the total number of appeals which were lodged in each month since April 1998 (c) the average length of time taken to process an application in the period since April 1998 (d) the average length of time taken to process appeals against decisions in relation to applications in the period since April 1998 (e) how many appeals were (i) successful, (ii) unsuccessful and (iii) outstanding, for each month since April 1998 (f) the average estimated cost of processing an appeal and (g) if he will review arrangements relating to the appeals procedure with a view to improving the service for applicants. (AQW 856/00) Mr Morrow: The total number of applications for disability living allowance, appeals lodged, in each month since April 1998, and the respective average clearance times are outlined in Table 1 attached. The number of appeals that were successful, unsuccessful and outstanding for each month since April 1998 are shown in Table 2 attached. The average direct cost of processing a disability living allowance appeal is approximately £275 per case, based on the number of cases cleared in the 1999/00 year. The cost of obtaining the indirect costs would be disproportionately high. In order to reduce the backlog of disability living allowance appeals, the Social Security Agency have already put in place 19 additional staff, and a further 10 staff are just finishing their training. In addition, overtime working has been undertaken. I understand that the President of the Appeals Service is also making arrangements for the appointment of additional appeal panel members. It is anticipated that these measures will facilitate a significant improvement in the service and a reduction in the backlog of disability living allowance appeals. TABLE 1: The Number of DLA applications and appeals received, and the average clearance times in each month since April 1998
TABLE 2: The number of Disability Living Allowance appeals which were successful, unsuccessful and outstanding, in each month since April 1998.
Community Economic Regeneration Schemes Mr A Maginness asked the Minister for Social Development to consider the conversion of the community economic regeneration schemes (CERS) loans into grants, to stimulate the development of the recipient organisations. (AQW 874/00) Mr Morrow: My predecessor, Nigel Dodds, MLA, approved the transfer of the community economic regeneration scheme (CERS) loan book to the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) on 19 June 2000. UCIT has capital resources and wide-ranging experience in the community, business and banking fields. Its aim will be to apply these assets to the future development of community economic development organisations including those with loans obtained under CERS. Community Economic Regeneration Schemes Mr A Maginness asked the Minister for Social Development, if he will recommend that community economic regeneration schemes (CERS) loans be transferred to the Ulster Community Investment Trust. (AQW 875/00) Mr Morrow: My predecessor approved the transfer of the Department’s share of the community economic regeneration scheme (CERS) loan book, and that of its sister scheme, the community regeneration and improvement special programme (CRISP) to the Ulster Community Investment Trust on 19 June 2000. Community Economic Regeneration Schemes Mr A Maginness asked the Minister for Social Development if he is aware that two of the five community economic regeneration schemes (CERS) are located in North Belfast, namely the Ashton Centre and the Wolfhill Centre, and that any transfer of their outstanding loans to the Ulster Community Investment Trust would be damaging to their future development. (AQW 876/00) Mr Morrow: There were originally five CERS schemes in Belfast but two have now repaid their loan leaving three schemes where the loans are to be transferred to the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT). Throughout Northern Ireland, there are 12 CERS schemes and 30 schemes under the community regeneration and improvement special programme, all with similar funding arrangements to the Wolfhill and Ashton Centres, making a total of 42 schemes whose loans will be transferred to UCIT. There is no reason to assume that these new arrangements will be detrimental to the organisations concerned. On the contrary, the aim of UCIT is to invest in community economic development projects such as Wolfhill and Ashton, to create jobs, income and wealth in these communities. The capital resources and the wealth of community, banking and business experience which UCIT will bring to bear should provide a major boost to their development. Housing Executive Owned Homes Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to (a) detail the number of homes currently in Housing Executive ownership (b) give a breakdown of the type of dwelling and (c) detail the total revenue from these rentals. (AQW 922/00) Mr Morrow: (a) There are currently 124,361 houses in Housing Executive ownership. (b) The following is a breakdown by dwelling type:-
(c) Gross collectable income from these dwellings is estimated to be £245.7m for 2000/01 Housing Executive Unoccupied Homes Mr Hilditch asked the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of Housing Executive homes which are at present unoccupied and how many people are currently regarded as homeless. (AQW 924/00) Mr Morrow: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has advised me that: (a) the number of unoccupied homes is 6,204, which includes 4,227 houses that are undergoing major works or are awaiting demolition. The remaining houses are in interface properties or areas where there is no demand (b) the number of people on the waiting list, at the end of October 2000, who are regarded as homeless, is 3,472. Additional Community Development Workers Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Social Development what steps he is taking to identify areas where there is a lack of community sector infrastructure and to outline his plans to provide additional community development workers in areas where there is a shortfall. (AQO 483/00) Mr Morrow: I am determined to ensure that support is made available to help those areas of social need where community infrastructure is weakest. For that reason, the Department is developing a special measure to address areas of weak community infrastructure as part of the negotiations on the new Peace II Programme. Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme (DEES) Ms Lewsley asked the Minister for Social Development to indicate when his deliberations on the future development of the domestic energy efficiency scheme (DEES) will be concluded and if he will make a statement. (AQO 454/00) Mr Morrow: I would anticipate reaching a final decision on the future development of the domestic energy efficiency scheme towards the end of February 2001 and making a statement shortly thereafter on the details of the new initiative, which will be the main policy for tackling fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. |
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