Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

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Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers TABLE 2 Definition of Household types WA 628 Household composition 1 person 16 – 59 years old Singles Single aged 60+, 2 Adults either 60+ or 3 or more Adults 60+ Elderly 2 Persons 16 – 59 years old Small Adult 1 or 2 Persons aged 16 or over, with 1 or 2 children Small Families 1 or 2 persons aged 16 or over, and 3 or more persons 0 – 15, or 3 or more persons aged 16 or over and 2 or more persons aged 0 - 15 Large Families 3 or more persons aged 16 or over with or without 1 person aged 0 - 15 Large Adults The Information provided is an Official Statistic. The Production and dissemination of all such Statistics is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is enforced by UK Statistics Authority. Sub-contracting Mr Copeland asked the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) whether there have been any incidences since 2007 of main contractors, who are working on social housing developments, not paying sub-contractors; and (ii) what power he has to intervene in such circumstances. (AQW 13558/11-15) Mr McCausland: I assume the Member is referring to the Social Housing Development Programme. With regard to non-payments by a main contractor to a sub contractor, my Department and Housing Associations would not have any access to this information. Part 4 of the Department’s Housing Association Guide, requires Housing Associations to operate a prompt payment policy (current Departmental guidance requires payment to be made within 30 days) to all contractors and subsequently requires all contractors to make prompt payments to their sub-contractors. Compliance with this guidance is checked as part of the Department’s Inspection Process. However, there is no legal liability on Housing Associations to enforce the prompt payment provisions in any sub-contract. Housing Executive: Contractors Mr Agnew asked the Minister for Social Development what plans he has to recover money from contractors employed to carry out maintenance work for the Housing Executive that was not done. (AQW 13564/11-15) Mr McCausland: I assume the Member is referring to the statement which I made in the Assembly on 3 July 2012 regarding the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s management of response maintenance contracts. The draft report, in relation to the forensic investigation I commissioned, is currently being considered. However, as I indicated in my Statement, where it has been identified that claims were made that were fraudulent, unfounded, inappropriate and improper, the Housing Executive will vigorously pursue the recovery of such monies under their contract management arrangements. Housing Executive: Maintenance Contracts Mr Agnew asked the Minister for Social Development for the estimated cost to the Housing Executive of payments made on maintenance contracts for work that was not done. (AQW 13565/11-15) Mr McCausland: I assume the Member is referring to the statement which I made in the Assembly on 3 July 2012 regarding the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s management of response maintenance contracts. The draft report, in relation to the forensic investigation I commissioned, is currently
Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers being considered. This information is not therefore available at present. However, as I indicated in my Statement, where it has been identified that claims were made that were fraudulent, unfounded, inappropriate and improper, the Housing Executive will vigorously pursue the recovery of such monies under their contract management arrangements. Risk Evaluation on Bonfires Located Near Housing Executive Properties Mr McGlone asked the Minister for Social Development whether his Department, or the Housing Executive, has carried out a risk evaluation on bonfires which are located on, or near to, Housing Executive property. (AQW 13573/11-15) Mr McCausland: A number of annual bonfires are located on Housing Executive land and the Housing Executive is responsible for the clean up of sites and the repair of any damage to Housing Executive properties. The Housing Executive adopts a good relations and community led approach to best manage bonfires. Local bonfire management initiatives are supported at a local level by Housing Executive District Offices and monitored and supported by the Housing Executive’s Community Cohesion Unit. The approach to dealing with bonfires aims: - ■ To reduce the risk to the environment. ■ To develop a partnership approach which allows the agencies involved to impact on the bonfire issue in a cohesive manner. ■ To develop a graduated response to bonfires which involves consultation, shared understanding, negotiation and if necessary proportionate and legal use of enforcement methods. ■ Promote a shared, inclusive community celebration. The general benefits for the Housing Executive in providing support to improve bonfire management include: - ■ Environmental damage through the burning of inappropriate material is reduced. ■ Introduction of controls into the commencement of the collection of bonfire material. ■ Reduced opportunities for fly tipping and the disposing of illegal waste. ■ Reduced clean up costs. ■ Engagement and supporting local communities. ■ Reduced paramilitary and inappropriate displays of flags and effigies etc. ■ Enhanced partnership working. ■ Improved community cohesion and good relations. ■ Reduced aggressive cultural displays. The management of bonfires is the responsibility of a range of agencies and the Housing Executive works in partnership with local Councils, the PSNI, Fire Service and local communities. A large number of the bonfire initiatives are Council led and the Housing Executive supports these Council led initiatives in a partnership approach. This approach has proved very successful in areas such as Belfast, Newtownards and Antrim. In addition the Housing Executive provides an estate warden service which monitors the condition of bonfire sites in a number of its estates. WA 629
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Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

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