Call on Ritchie to lift ban on house repairs

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has called for much-needed repair work on Housing Executive homes to resume immediately.
Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie recently called a halt to all repairs, adaptations and new tenant repairs in Housing Executive homes right across the North.
Carál Ní Chuilín said the suspension of repair work is unacceptable.
“I understand that the Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has now called a halt to all repairs, adaptations and new tenant repairs in Housing Executive properties across the North,” said the North Belfast MLA.
“This is unacceptable. To suggest that the minister has had to suspend these contracts because of money surrendered by her department before Christmas is misleading.
“I am concerned that the minister is manipulating the situation.
“The fact is that the budget to cover this planned programme of work was set last year when the contracts agreed for the work.
“The money surrendered by Margaret Ritchie was for work that would not even be started in the current financial cycle; existing contracts were not affected in any way.
“Those who will be affected by this move will be those most in need in society and that is a huge cause of concern.”