Ritchie oversees improvements to Downpatrick homes

Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA, today saw for herself progress on a new heating replacement scheme in Downpatrick.

The Minister visited the home of one of the tenants to benefit from the scheme at Ardilea Park and viewed the improvement works being carried out.

The £380,000 scheme will upgrade heating systems in the Flying Horse Estate in Downpatrick as part of the Housing Executive Maintenance Programme.

Margaret Ritchie said: “The replacement of the obsolete heating systems in these homes in the Flying Horse area will bring much-needed improvements for tenants.”

Ms Ritchie added “I recently announced that £6million will be spent on modernising homes that desperately need it, including installing new heating systems.

“In view of the affect the shortfall in the housing market has had on housing programmes, I am determined to ensure that these resources are targeted as effectively as possible. I am confident that we will make further strides in tackling fuel poverty and improving living standards for tenants in the year ahead.”

Notes to editors:

1. Minister Ritchie visited the home of Housing Executive tenant Jennifer McDonald at Ardilea Park, Downpatrick.
2. On 21 January 2010, Minister Margaret Ritchie announced a further £6million for Housing Executive maintenance programmes to include kitchen and heating replacement schemes.
3. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Heating Replacement Programme, the Warm Homes Scheme, the Social Security Agency’s Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments form DSD’s coherent Fuel Poverty Strategy.
4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078 or 07970 976894. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.