Question Time: Social Development 24 February 2014
Jim Allister
asked Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland, for an update on
negotiations between the Housing Executive and their contractors related to the
£18m overcharging alleged by the Minister. Mr McCausland was however reluctant
to provide an update as negotiations are still ongoing and any open discussion
might compromise the delicate proceedings. He did confirm that “the Housing
Executive's board has assured me that it wants this resolved as soon as
possible and that it will continue to strive towards that outcome”.
Megan Fearon
then asked the Minister about any plans to enhance minimum fitness standards
for housing across all tenures. The current standard requires that all
dwellings are structurally sound, free from serious disrepair and have adequate
provision for lighting, heating, bathing and food preparation. Mr McCausland revealed
that his officials “are examining options to identify how the current minimum
standard for housing across all tenures can be most effectively enhanced” and
that he expects to launch a related consultation in the coming year. The
Minister highlighted the launch of the double-glazing programme when he came to
the Department as an example of his commitment to raising housing standards.
During
Topical Questions the Minister was asked about his plans regarding Welfare
Reform. Mr McCausland was keen to highlight the need to move quickly on the
issue of Welfare Reform before we are imposed with a £1bn penalty from
Westminster – money that will not be available for health, education,
deprivation etc. The Minister also addressed questions on paramilitary murals
on the Giro d’Italia route and the transfer of urban regeneration powers to
councils.
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