Housing Executive steps in as repairs contractor struggles

THE Housing Executive in Lisburn has been working overtime to ensure that emergency repair work on local homes will be carried out as soon as possible after the local contractor responsible for the work fell into difficulties.

A spokesperson for the Housing Executive explained: “Our contractor covering the Lisburn area is currently experiencing certain logistical problems. This unfortunately means that we are only able to deliver repairs on an emergency and urgent basis at this time.

“We are working with the contractor to have these issues resolved as quickly as possible.

“In the meantime we are also putting in place contingency arrangements with our own Direct Labour Organisation.”

The spokesperson continued: “Garrivan and O’Rourke won three contracts as a result of the response maintenance procurement exercise in 2011/12. These contracts were in North Belfast, East Belfast and Lisburn. The Lisburn contract commenced last September. The duration of the contracts was for four years. Unfortunately Garrivan and O’Rourke became unable to provide the level of service required. As a result, they have only provided emergency and immediate cover in recent weeks. The Housing Executive immediately put contingency arrangements in place, and contractors from other NIHE response maintenance contracts have been instructed to provide a back-up service, for the contracts affected. Garrivan & O’Rourke went into administration on Monday April 22. The Administrator has advised that the company cannot provide any further service to the NIHE. We are continuing to use our other response maintenance contractors to provide a service to those tenants affected.”

Lisburn Councillor Jenny Palmer, who sits on the Housing Liaison Committee, said the Housing Executive had been working hard to rectify the situation. However, this came as little comfort to local residents who are in desperate need of repairs to their properties. One resident, Elaine Madden, has been waiting for weeks for repairs to be done to solve a serious mould problem in her Gregg House flat.

Currently Ms Madden is having to sleep on a mattress on her living room floor. She was assured work would be carried out two weeks ago, however, after making further inquiries, she was told the work would be delayed as the contractor was facing difficulties with his business.

“No work has been carried out and I don’t know when it will be done,” said Ms Madden. “I am still lying on the floor of the living room and I feel like I am stuck in limbo. I have been given extra points by the Housing Executive for a management transfer and I am hoping to get offered another house or flat but that could take months because they won’t let you move until repairs are completed and we don’t know when that might be.”

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