McCausland Hits Out At Durkan Boiler Comments

Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has hit out against a statement by SDLP Environment Minister Mark H Durkan that described the boiler replacement scheme as "eroneous".

Mr Durkan's statement followed news that the Department for Social Development had secured a further £6m to benefit the scheme.

"The scheme has so far failed to deliver for people who need it most," Mr Durkan said.

"Many people are being pressurised into paying upfront before they are given the grant, which is often extremely difficult. Furthermore, small businesses may be reluctant to take on the work if there are delays around money being paid.

"The schemes application process up until now has proved overly onerous and placed barriers before people hoping to manage their household budget and ward off fuel poverty."

But Mr McCausland said Mr Durkan was "clearly misinformed."

"6,500 households from across Northern Ireland are now enjoying the efficiency benefits of a brand new boiler and more than 70 per cent of those households are also on lower incomes, exactly the kind of people who need this support," he said.

"Hundreds of small businesses have also benefited with 800 local installers involved in carrying out this work. I would like to encourage as many people as possible to contact the Housing Executive who are administering the scheme, to see if they could be eligible."

Mr Durkan concluded: "The scheme has got great potential and I hope the Department for Social Development can now implement the scheme in a way which delivers for those who need it most."

(IT/CD)