To ask the Minister for Social Development to detail the number of homes considered to be in fuel poverty in East Londonderry; and to outline the measures being taken to ensure that these homes receive assistance this winter through fuel poverty schemes.

The 2011 House Condition Survey reported that 42% of Northern Ireland households were in fuel poverty. This information is not available by parliamentary constituency. However, some modelling work was carried out at District Council Area (DCA) level and the 2011 figures for these DCAs were published in bands. Banded figures for the two DCAs that are most closely aligned with East Londonderry are as follows:

Coleraine (52-56%)

Limavady (47-51%).

In terms of ensuring that relevant households receive appropriate assistance, the following measures are being taken by the Housing Executive:

Housing Executive Stock

Heating programme to switch to gas, where available, and to oil or wood pellets elsewhere.

Increased levels of loft insulation in on-going maintenance programmes. All stock brought up to 150mm – now being upgraded again to 270mm.

Double Glazing programme being completed for all Housing Executive stock.

HEATSMART project provides direct energy advice to tenants getting new heating, at Change of Tenancy (COT) stage or for elderly tenants.

Tested external wall insulation on three rural cottages in Coleraine.

Technology Strategy Board (TSB) funded SIMPLER Scheme to test and install external insulation to our ‘No Fines’ dwellings in Antrim.

Electricity brokering project undertaken in 2012 and 2013; tariff sheets regarding switching electricity were provided to all tenants in 2012 and are currently provided to all new tenants at COT stage.

Renewables Programme funded in 2006/08 to install solar thermal panels in 2,030 dwellings.

Action to tackle Fuel Poverty in privately owned and privately rented sector

Housing Executive administers the Department for Social Development’s (DSD) Warm Homes Scheme, the main grant dealing with fuel poverty. (This scheme will end on 31 March 2015 and will be replaced by the Affordable Warmth Scheme.) I would encourage householders who think they may qualify for the Warm Homes Scheme to contact freephone 0800 988 0559 now. Further information about the Warm Homes Scheme can be found at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/warm-homes-grant-scheme.

The Affordable Warmth Scheme will target privately owned and privately rented properties considered to be most at risk of fuel poverty and who have an income of less than £20,000. Further information can be found at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/affordable-warmth-grant-scheme or 0300 200 7874.

The Housing Executive manages the Boiler Replacement Scheme on behalf of DSD. The Boiler Replacement Scheme is aimed at owner occupiers with an income of less than £40,000 and provides a grant of up to £1,000 towards replacing an old inefficient boiler with a new more energy efficient one. Further information about the Boiler Replacement Scheme can be found at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/environment-and-greener-living/energy-wise/energy-saving-grants/boiler-replacement ( 03448 920 900).

Social Security Agency

In addition, my Department provides the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment to qualifying households. The ‘Make the Call’ campaign, where people can check they are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to, can be contacted by phoning 0800 232 1271 (text phone 0800 232 1715) or (text CHECK to 66101) to receive a call back.

The Information provided in this response is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is enforced by UK Statistics Authority.