1,260 social houses poorly heated

A total of 773 Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and 487 Housing Associations make up a grand total of 1,260 homes with outdated heating here.

NIHE hopes to replace 107 Economy 7 systems over the next year and phase out usage entirely over the next five years if funding is made available.

Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie explained that tenants are offered to switch to oil or gas where it is available but many opt to retain Economy 7 because it is more convenient for them.

She stated: "A total of 773 Housing Executive dwellings in the Derry area still use Economy 7. Replacement of existing heating schemes is carried out on a planned basis where Economy 7 exists in an estate undergoing heating replacements.

"Tenants are offered the opportunity to switch to oil or gas where available but may opt to retain Economy 7 and significant numbers do so for reasons of convenience.

"The Housing Executive has provisionally planned to replace 107 Economy 7 heating systems in 2010/11, although this will be dependant on the availability of funding.

"It also plans to offer replacement heating to remaining Economy 7 users over the next five years.

"With regard to Housing Association dwellings using Economy 7, there are a total of 487 in the Derry Housing Executive area. Housing Associations plans to replace Economy 7 heating vary, although there are plans to replace existing heating systems over the next 5-7 years with gas where available."

Ms Ritchie outlined the information in response to a question tabled by the Foyle Sinn Fin MLA Martina Anderson.