A senior council executive has assured councillors that social housing tenants in the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District will ‘not be left behind.’
Mr Joe Peoples, Director of Housing, Corporate and Cultural Services, was speaking at this evening’s special meeting on mica affected council houses in the area.
Cllr Frank McBrearty claimed that it has come to his attention that the Inishowen and Lifford-Milforrd MDs are “being prioritised over us.”
“From St Johnston to Glenfin, and in all the towns and villages in between in our MD, there are almost 30,000 people,” said.
“Every single SI house and council house in this area must be tested for mica. I won’t accept remedial works – complete demolition is the only option.”
Cllr McBrearty also raised issues with mica in the Railway Park estate in St Johnston, in which the council bought eight houses.
Sinn Fein representative, Liam Doherty, also called on the council to find out how many council houses are affected in the MD, and “cease further purchases unless houses are tested first.”
Responding, Mr Peoples told the meeting he had no issue getting records in relation to council houses, dating back to 1984.
“That can be done early next week,” Mr Peoples said.
“And, there is no question of any tenant being left behind in Stranorlar-Lifford MD. All properties that require remedial works will not be left behind.”
Mr Peoples added that the council needs to set up a dedicated team to deal with the issue of mica in council houses.
“This team would be involved in planning, for issues such as temporary accommodation for council tenants. There are about 1,000 affected houses that we know about so far. Some are worse than others. Logistically, it is going to be a very significant task – unprecedented in the history of this country.”
