More work needed to meet Warm Homes targets

Ulster Unionist MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Tom Elliott, has said that while the Department of Social Development's Warm Homes Scheme is extremely valuable, he is concerned that "some people are not reaping all its benefits".

The UUP MLA said that the scheme has the potential to do a lot more good work in society, but that some of the installations had some problems.

"I am particularly concerned about the change to the scheme's criteria that was introduced last summer, because certain households cannot now avail themselves of a heating upgrade.

"Heating upgrades are one of the scheme's big benefits, and I am assuming that there was a big uptake of that. They are vital if we are to reduce energy usage and ensure that we keep emissions as low as possible."

Expressing his support for a boiler replacement scheme, similar to that introduced in England but directed at the most vulnerable, Mr Elliott said he was keen for it to be progressed in Northern Ireland as quickly as possible.

"Surely there is a mechanism whereby we can transpose the legislation and make some minor amendments to it, thereby allowing the scheme to be put in place quickly in Northern Ireland. That would alleviate some of the problems and difficulties that we face in trying not only to meet targets but to ensure that people get the best benefits from the entire scheme."