East Belfast Ulster Unionist Party MLA, Andy Allen has expressed his shock that of 4,769 Housing Executive properties under review in relation to asbestos, 326 properties currently have restrictions placed on them.
Mr Allen his party's Communities Spokesperson said:
"I am absolutely shocked to learn through a written Assembly Question to the Communities Minister that 4,769 Housing Executive properties are currently under review in relation to asbestos, with 326 properties having restrictions in place. This means that effectively, tenants living in 326 properties are barred from going into parts of their homes, like their lofts, on health and safety grounds.
"The asbestos present in these properties not only causes the tenants ongoing disruption by having restrictions placed upon their household but, if disturbed, can cause severe health repercussions for people exposed to this hazardous material. In answer to my question, the Minister for Communities has told me that the Housing Executive is in the process of arranging for this asbestos to be removed. We need a lot more detail on what the plan is, what the timetable is, and what it will cost. What the Department and the Housing Executive needs to show is that they have a policy of not only reviewing their housing stock, but safely removing asbestos where it is discovered."