(AQW 4376/01)

The Minister for Regional Development (Mr P Robinson): The number of new employees in the Water Service’s Western Division is set out in the table below. This covers the period since Devolution in November 1999.

Recruitment procedures for all posts within the Water Service are carried out in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Code, with all applications for employment considered strictly on the basis of merit.

I do not have any details of the community background of staff. Information on the community background of all Northern Ireland Civil Service staff is collected and held only by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

(AQW 4119/01)

The Minister for Social Development (Mr Dodds): There are a number of measures to improve energy efficiency in private households. The main instrument is my Department’s Warm Homes Scheme which provides heating and insulation measures for individuals on certain income and disability related benefits. This work includes personal advice to householders on the most efficient use of energy in the home.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s grants programme provides for improvements to private homes, including energy efficiency measures and heating system up-grades.

The Energy Savings Trust advertises energy efficiency nationally, promotes solar energy and a Cashback Scheme which provides improvements to heating controls. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has also advertised the benefits of an energy efficient household locally, through the press and television, and has supported a number of schemes which are targeted at vulnerable private sector householders.

(AQW 4120/01)

Mr Dodds: The maintenance of Housing Association schemes, financed in whole or in part by the Government, is funded by an element of the Association’s rental income. This is transferred to, and held in, a designated maintenance reserve account prior to determining the surplus available for transferring to the Association’s general reserves. This ensures a cash flow to fund the Association’s future building maintenance programme. Associations also have designated reserves to provide for major repairs to their housing stock. Data on the average maintenance expenditure per housing unit for each Housing Association is collected annually and is published on the Department’s Internet site. As part of its regulatory function, the Department has introduced an audit of Housing Association performance in carrying out maintenance work.

(AQW 4121/01)

Mr Dodds: The delivery of the new build housing programme is currently the responsibility of housing associations. My Department regulates the standards of design in the Joint Design Standards section of the Housing Association Guide. However the housing associations’ standard of design and materials generally reflect that of the Housing Executive. Some associations do make local adjustments to the choice of materials and components within individual schemes.

For existing housing, the Housing Executive has a register of materials and products for guidance of its professional consultants and contractors. New products are assessed and added as appropriate. As part of this assessment process, the Housing Executive seeks the views of architects, clerks of works, contractors and the material manufacturers. Through its "Suppliers Panel Meetings" it conveys any concerns with current materials and components and solicits the manufacturers’ help in addressing any issues.

(AQW 4135/01)

Mr Dodds: The Housing Executive’s Technical Standards Section continually re-assesses the adequacy and performance of the materials and products used in Housing Executive contracts. This assessment takes into account not only the initial capital cost but also the anticipated service life and ongoing maintenance requirements.

The Housing Executive has a register of materials and products for guidance of its professional consultants and contractors. New products are assessed and added as appropriate. As part of this assessment process, the Housing Executive seeks the views of architects, clerks of works, contractors and the material manufacturers. Through its "Suppliers Panel Meetings" it conveys any concerns with current materials and components and solicits the manufacturers’ help in addressing any issues.

(AQW 4171/01)

Mr Dodds: "Roofblock" has not as yet been given approval by Building Control, and while this remains the case the Housing Executive would not consider including the product in its list of approved building products.

(AQW 4189/01)

Mr Dodds: It is too early to provide a definitive assessment of the impact which the ending of EU peace funds in 2006 might have on voluntary and community organisations.

I am very aware, however, that some voluntary and community organisations are currently experiencing financial difficulties because of changes to funding programmes and that they have serious concerns about their future. The voluntary and community sector make a vital contribution to many aspects of the social, economic, environmental and cultural life in Northern Ireland. It is therefore important that we consider mechanisms that will assist us to enable them to continue to contribute fully to civic society. With this in mind, my Department has already begun to strengthen the District Council Community Support Programmes.

My Department is also taking forward the outstanding recommendations of the Consultation Document on Funding for the Voluntary and Community Sector, known as the Harbison report, to identify actions to help support the sector post 2006.

(AQW 4199/01)

Mr Dodds: The strategy is designed to tackle positively and aggressively the range of complex housing problems that exist in North Belfast. Homelessness is not a specific element of the strategy. I hope that the strategy will help create a more conciliatory atmosphere in the area, which may reduce the number of homeless presenters, since intimidation has been a factor in the rise of homeless applicants in recent times. The Strategy proposals should also reduce the numbers on the social housing waiting list which, in turn, should help homeless people generally to be re-housed more quickly.

(AQW 4200/01)

Mr Dodds: Homelessness is not a specific element of the Strategy. The Housing Executive has a statutory duty towards the homeless, and its policies and programmes are applied consistently to homeless applicants, regardless of their community background prior to becoming homeless.

(AQW 4201/01)

Mr Dodds: The information is as follows:

(AQW 4212/01)

Mr Dodds: There are 8 circumstances where District Office managers can exercise their discretion and create Management Transfers. These are:

1. The tenant is a Full Duty Applicant, ie the Housing Executive owes the tenant a duty under the Homelessness legislation.

2. Transferring one of the parties concerned could alleviate a deteriorating neighbour dispute between tenants.

3. A transfer is imperative to facilitate ongoing redevelopment.

4. A transfer is imperative for decanting purposes.

5. A transfer is imperative to facilitate the demolition or transfer of purpose built stock.

6. A transfer may prevent a District Heating debt from increasing further.

7. By transferring a tenant in a sheltered unit to another unit within the same development, the resulting vacancy would then be offered to an applicant on the Common Waiting List.

8. The transfer relates to the tenant(s) or members of their household requiring specially adapted or specially purpose-built housing.

The Management Transfer Policy allows District Office managers the discretion to transfer tenants under certain circumstances, without reference to their points status under the Common Selection Scheme. This can mean that tenants will be transferred to available accommodation ahead of other applicants, including homeless people, to facilitate best use of stock and redevelopment/clearance of a particular block or area. Vacancies that arise may be available for allocations to other applicants, including homeless people, if the vacancies are in an applicant’s area of choice.

(AQW 4224/01)

Mr Dodds: The renovation scheme at Rathfern, Newtownabbey is currently on target to start in August 2002.

(AQW 4225/01)

Mr Dodds: The redecoration work at Rosebrook Grove, Carrickfergus is being carried out as part of an External Cyclical Maintenance scheme by the Housing Executive. Consultation with the residents including owner-occupiers was carried out by way of letters from the local District Office. The contract is currently under way, and the District Office has no record of any difficulties.

(AQW 4228/01)

Mr Dodds: The dwellings at Prospect Park Carrickfergus are included within the Housing Executive contract called "Woodburn Phase 5". Tenders were received on the 28 May and are currently being processed. A September 2002 start date is anticipated. The work will include comprehensive improvements with full central heating.

(AQW 4286/01)

Mr Dodds: Grass areas, which are used for amenity purposes, are maintained at a maximum height of 65mm and are not mown closer than 25mm to the ground. Cuttings will only be lifted and removed off site if the grass has been allowed to grow longer than 65mm. In other areas, grass is cut to a maximum height of 100mm and a minimum of 75mm. Cuttings are removed at the time of cutting.

Grass cutting takes place between 18 and 21 times per year, although the Housing Executive’s Area Grounds Manager has the discretion to increase or decrease the number of cuts in response to local conditions and the prevailing weather.

(AQO 1666/01)

Mr Dodds: In each of the last 4 financial years to 31 March 2002, the number of empty homes under the control of the Housing Executive was 4,818, 5,770, 6,063 and 5,932 respectively. These comprise Lettable Voids, that is, those in the process of being allocated or undergoing urgent change of tenancy repairs. Operational Voids, that is, those held to facilitate major works or in advance of being sold on the open market, and Long Term Voids, that is, those which are difficult to let due to lack of demand. Included within this latter category are dwellings which have been secured to prevent vandalism, properties that have been fire damaged and those located in redevelopment areas or purpose built stock which have received Housing Executive Board approval to be demolished. The breakdown of void types tends to average around 45% operational, 50% long-term, including those held pending demolition, and 5% lettable or short-term.

(AQO 1662/01)

Mr Dodds: The total number of houses completed in the social housing sector over the four-year period 1998/99 to 2001/02 is 6,392. This figure comprises 5,912 new build houses plus 480 houses purchased on the open market by housing associations, either in good condition or for rehabilitation, prior to letting.

The breakdown by year is as follows:

(AQO 1661/01)

Mr Dodds: The total number of houses completed in the social housing sector over the four-year period 1998/99 to 2001/02 is 6,392. This figure comprises 5,912 new build houses, plus 480 houses purchased on the open market by housing associations, either in good condition or for rehabilitation, prior to letting.

The breakdown by year is as follows:

(AQO 1692/01)

Mr Dodds: One hundred and forty four applications are current. Funding arrangements will continue until such time as decisions on the full applications for EU funding are notified, but not beyond 31 December 2002.