900 boiler bids- 1 approval

OVER 900 enquires about a replacement boiler scheme have been received through the Housing Executive’s Londonderry Grants Office but only one new boiler has been approved to date, Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has revealed.

By The Newsroom

Published 15th Dec 2012, 11:30 BST

Londonderry MLA Mark H. Durkan asked how many people in the Foyle constituency had registered for the new Boiler Replacement Scheme and how many had been awarded a grant.

Mr McCausland replied: “To date there has been 904 enquiries from Foyle constituency residents and 869 application forms issued, with one approval been granted.

“The Housing Executive have received an unprecedented number of enquires to the scheme and their Londonderry Grants Office who also deal with Magherafelt, Strabane and Limavady councils have received a total of 2,882 enquiries, issued 1,7000 application forms and issued 37 approvals to replace their old boilers.

“They have allocated additional staff to reduce the backlog and also to assist in providing advice and guidance to a lot of applicants who have sent in incomplete forms.”