Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Fra McCann MLA has demanded answers from the DSD minister on the cases of emergency only repairs being carried out by the Housing Executive.

Some of the contractors conducting long-term upgrade work to HE properties have not been able to continue the work because of financial crisis. The HE are now using their own work force in many cases to carry out emergency repairs with the upgrade of homes mounting up.

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The West Belfast MLA said: "This is very worrying that only emergency work will be continuing in many cases and that homes needing long-term upgrade will continue to deteriorate.

"This has been the case for several months now and the minister needs to explain what he is going to do regarding the upgrading of homes in areas affected.

"Sinn Féin have been consistently saying that this would be the outcome from the practice of contractors bidding as much as 30% below the contract cost and the HE irresponsibly accepting these bids."

(CD/JP)