14/11/2001
Call for redress of religious balance within Housing Executive
The East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has claimed that an internal Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) document reveals Protestants are under represented in some areas of its workforce.
In a statement released on Wednesday November 14, DUP assembly member Mr Campbell said he had received an internal Housing Executive document which outlines the religious breakdown of staff across NI in all regions and which he said “fully justified” his fears about equal opportunities in the organisation.
Mr Campbell claimed the statistics, which he described as “appalling” had been confirmed as accurate by the Chief Executive Paddy McIntyre of the NIHE.
Mr Campbell said: “In Belfast only 39.1 per cent of staff are Protestant. In the South region it is 42.7 per cent, in the West it is an abysmal 28.6 per cent.”
He added that with the “categorical proof” he was given, it was now up to the Equality Commission to act immediately to ensure a balanced ratio within the Housing Executive.
The Equality Commission has responded saying it has “recommended to the Housing Executive that they take affirmative action measures to address an under representation of Protestants of their workforce.”
The Equality Commission added that although recent figures have shown an increase in Protestant applicants with the NIHE, it was “clear that there continues to be a need to increase the representation of Protestants in sections of the Housing Executive’s workforce.”
The Housing Executive has said as a public sector employer, it takes “very seriously its responsibilities in relation to equal opportunity in employment”.
However, a NIHE spokesperson, said: “We have been in consultation with the Equality Commission in relation to perceived religious affiliation within certain grades and areas and have agreed a series of measures aimed at promoting fair participation in employment opportunities within the Housing Executive.”
These will include a wide ranging and extended public advertisement drive and increased publicity within state schools as a future employer. (AMcE)
In a statement released on Wednesday November 14, DUP assembly member Mr Campbell said he had received an internal Housing Executive document which outlines the religious breakdown of staff across NI in all regions and which he said “fully justified” his fears about equal opportunities in the organisation.
Mr Campbell claimed the statistics, which he described as “appalling” had been confirmed as accurate by the Chief Executive Paddy McIntyre of the NIHE.
Mr Campbell said: “In Belfast only 39.1 per cent of staff are Protestant. In the South region it is 42.7 per cent, in the West it is an abysmal 28.6 per cent.”
He added that with the “categorical proof” he was given, it was now up to the Equality Commission to act immediately to ensure a balanced ratio within the Housing Executive.
The Equality Commission has responded saying it has “recommended to the Housing Executive that they take affirmative action measures to address an under representation of Protestants of their workforce.”
The Equality Commission added that although recent figures have shown an increase in Protestant applicants with the NIHE, it was “clear that there continues to be a need to increase the representation of Protestants in sections of the Housing Executive’s workforce.”
The Housing Executive has said as a public sector employer, it takes “very seriously its responsibilities in relation to equal opportunity in employment”.
However, a NIHE spokesperson, said: “We have been in consultation with the Equality Commission in relation to perceived religious affiliation within certain grades and areas and have agreed a series of measures aimed at promoting fair participation in employment opportunities within the Housing Executive.”
These will include a wide ranging and extended public advertisement drive and increased publicity within state schools as a future employer. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 August 2015
Crumlin Social Housing Scheme Opened
A new social housing scheme of three and four bedroom houses has been officially opened in Crumlin. The fourteen new homes for families on the social housing waiting list, is owned and managed by Habinteg Housing Association who funded the build, with support from the Department for Social Development.
Crumlin Social Housing Scheme Opened
A new social housing scheme of three and four bedroom houses has been officially opened in Crumlin. The fourteen new homes for families on the social housing waiting list, is owned and managed by Habinteg Housing Association who funded the build, with support from the Department for Social Development.
19 August 2024
Frontline Housing Staff Praised For 'Courage And Commitment'
Frontline housing staff have been recognised for their "courage and commitment" in the light of a rise in hate crime attacks, by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. Minister Lyons visited Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) staff in Antrim.
Frontline Housing Staff Praised For 'Courage And Commitment'
Frontline housing staff have been recognised for their "courage and commitment" in the light of a rise in hate crime attacks, by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. Minister Lyons visited Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) staff in Antrim.
23 May 2012
Housing Association Asked To Give Public Money Back
A social housing provider has been asked to return £835,000 of public funds after failing to get planning permission on a Co. Down site. Belfast-based Trinity Housing Association bought half an acre of land in Crossgar in 2007, at the height of the property boom.
Housing Association Asked To Give Public Money Back
A social housing provider has been asked to return £835,000 of public funds after failing to get planning permission on a Co. Down site. Belfast-based Trinity Housing Association bought half an acre of land in Crossgar in 2007, at the height of the property boom.
11 December 2001
Dodds announces £4 million housing scheme
The Minister for Social Development Nigel Dodds has unveiled a £4 million housing development which will provide 40 new homes for the people of the New Lodge area in north Belfast.
Dodds announces £4 million housing scheme
The Minister for Social Development Nigel Dodds has unveiled a £4 million housing development which will provide 40 new homes for the people of the New Lodge area in north Belfast.
07 October 2010
NI Housing Chief Executive To Retire
Four decades on, Paddy McIntyre, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) boss has announced his retirement from service to local housing. From a trainee with the Northern Ireland Housing Trust in 1971 to Chief Executive of the NI Housing Executive in 1999, Paddy has had a long and distinguished career in housing.
NI Housing Chief Executive To Retire
Four decades on, Paddy McIntyre, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) boss has announced his retirement from service to local housing. From a trainee with the Northern Ireland Housing Trust in 1971 to Chief Executive of the NI Housing Executive in 1999, Paddy has had a long and distinguished career in housing.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.