Question Time - Savills report

Wednesday 10 March 2010

(Social Development)

The Savills report examined the state and quality of Housing Executive accomodation.

Mr Burns: The Savills report highlighted certain aspects of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's costs. Does the Minister have any view on the Housing Executive's land and estate management costs?

The Minister for Social Development (Margaret Ritchie): The Savills report provided useful information for the Department for Social Development's (DSD) annual subsidy determination for the Housing Executive's landlord function and will assist the Housing Executive and my officials in housing division in targeting resources to where they are most needed. We must remember that resources are scarce at the moment, and we must ensure that they are targeted at the people who need them most.

Savills highlighted the significant costs that are associated with the maintenance of the amenity lands in and around Housing Executive estates. My colleague will understand that that was the issue that Ms Lo raised. We have real opportunities to use that land better, and I have asked the Housing Executive to come up with a plan to offer sites to tenants for use as allotments. That would benefit the local community. Ultimately, if the Housing Executive land bank is put to best use, we can reduce estate management costs substantially.