West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Mc Aleer welcomes home improvement plans

Published: 2 February, 2010

Councillor Declan Mc Aleer pictured at the entrance to Buchanan Villas, Killyclogher.

Councillor Declan Mc Aleer pictured at the entrance to Buchanan Villas, Killyclogher.

Mid Tyrone Sinn Féin Councillor, Declan Mc Aleer has welcomed the Housing Executive plans to commence a number of important home improvement schemes in the 2010/11 financial year.

Councillor Mc Aleer was speaking following a meeting of the Public Services Liaison Committee at Omagh District Council on Monday evening. The meeting was presented with a progress report on the district housing programme by Ivan Armstrong, District Manager of NIHE.

Commenting after the meeting, Councillor Mc Aleer said

"I welcome the completion of major schemes during this past year. These include kitchen replacements in 68 dwellings at Castleview and Tullyneil Court and I am also pleased to note that the Executive are on site in Springwell Drive, Denamona Court and Shilling Court, implementing a kitchen replacement programme.

"In addition to this, I welcome NIHE plans to complete external maintenance on dwellings in at least 16 locations such as Laragh View, Loughmacrory Park and Kevlin Gardens.

"They have also identified 70 dwellings for priority heating schemes in the 2010/2011 financial year. These include dwellings in Strule, Shandon, O Kane, Centenary and Edinburgh Parks and they are currently on site carrying out a major environmental improvement scheme in Mullaghmore.

"During the meeting with Mr Armstrong, I strongly lobbied for Buchanan Villas to be included in any forthcoming programmes of work, especially heating replacement schemes.

"I pointed out that many of the houses in Buchanan Villas were built in 1948 and some still had completely outdated and ineffective open fire heating systems. During the recent cold spell, many of these homes had ice on the inside of the window panes, despite the heating being on.

In conclusion, Cllr Mc Aleer said "Quality of housing can have a huge mediating impact on every aspect of an individual's health and well being. I welcome the progress that NIHE have made and congratulate them on their effectiveness and ability to meet the needs of local communities.

"I understand that many of the schemes outlined are funding dependant but I strongly encourage the Executive when prioritizing schemes to be ever mindful of the needs of the most vulnerable in our society particularly older people, young families and people with disabilities".