SIGN THE NORTHERN IRELAND BOILER SCRAPPAGE SCHEME PETITION

Following the announcement by Northern Ireland's Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie that a Boiler Scrappage Scheme is unlikely to be introduced in Northern Ireland, a large number of trade bodies including SNIPEF have written to the Minister demanding that she reconsider her decision.

A scheme is set to be launched in Scotland in the next few weeks which will leave Northern Ireland as the only part of the country not to operate such a scheme, despite the fact the national government at Westminster has already allocated funding for a Scheme in the province.

Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Minister Ritchie said "A boiler replacement scheme should not be delivered on a first-come, first-served basis. Given the limited availability of resources in the current economic climate, I must ensure that resources are specifically targeted at those who are most in need. I have reservations about introducing a scheme that would require those on the lowest income to provide an additional £1,000, at the very least, towards the cost of installing a new and efficient boiler."

To increase the pressure on the Minister the Plumbing & Heating in Northern Ireland Magazine has launched an on-line petition. Adam Hassin, Editor said, "The plumbing and heating industries in Scotland and Wales have taken the initiative and forced their devolved governments into action, so it is imperative that Northern Ireland does not miss out. We are delighted at the backing we have already received from leading figures within the industry and with the launch of the petition, we are hoping that people from all sections of the plumbing and heating sector in the province will back the campaign."

To sign it all you have to do is to cut and paste the following text and then e-mail your name and full address to Adam at boilerscrapni@kmpltd.co.uk:

I call for the boiler scrappage scheme (currently available in England, Wales and Scotland ) to be extended to include Northern Ireland.

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The plumbing and heating industry in Northern Ireland has been savaged by the recession. The introduction of a boiler scrappage scheme will help stimulate the plumbing and heating sector providing installers, manufacturers and merchants with much needed work.

Tom Galloway, SNIPEF President