Social Housing: Grosvenor Barracks, Enniskillen

Oral Answers to Questions — Social Development – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 3:00 pm on 15 March 2016.

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Photo of Phil Flanagan Phil Flanagan Sinn Féin 3:00, 15 March 2016

T1. Mr Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Development whether he supports the proposed transfer of the site of the former Grosvenor barracks in Enniskillen, which has been earmarked for the development of 200 social housing units, from his Department to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, given that that would remove the ability of social housing providers to develop on that site. (AQT 3671/11-16)

Photo of Lord Maurice Morrow Lord Maurice Morrow DUP

I assure the Member that I am not doing anything to obstruct, nor am I being awkward about, the building of new homes in County Fermanagh. After all, and I am sure the Member has noticed, I represent Fermanagh and South Tyrone in the Assembly. As a Member for the area, I am sure that it will come as some comfort and relief to him that very often his concerns about housing are mine.

Photo of Phil Flanagan Phil Flanagan Sinn Féin 3:15, 15 March 2016

I thank the Minister for his attempt to answer the question. I put him on notice that it was not he who initiated the process, but I am looking for him to intervene and stop it as a locally elected representative.

There are roughly 1,000 people on the housing waiting list in Fermanagh, and nearly 300 of those are in stress. As Mrs Kelly indicated, land acquisition is a significant issue for housing associations. Can the Minister indicate whether, in theory, he would be supportive of the transfer of a 17·2 acre site out of his Department to the local authority, which could then decide whether to sell it on the open market, thereby taking away the housing association's ability to deliver on the site?

Photo of Lord Maurice Morrow Lord Maurice Morrow DUP

My task and responsibility is to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of social-sector housing right across the Province. Like the Member, I am favourably disposed to ensuring that includes Fermanagh and South Tyrone. I think that he is trying to dance on a pinhead, but if he wants to talk about the issue, my door is open, and he is welcome to discuss it with me.