THE Housing Executive has confirmed the cladding used on its high-rise Belfast flats is not the same as that used in London's Grenfell Tower.
There have been concerns about the safety of cladding on tower blocks in the aftermath of last week's Grenfell fire tragedy that claimed multiple lives.
Cladding has been fitted at two of the New Lodge tower blocks in north Belfast, while similar works are being carried out at another two buildings in the east of the city.
Asked last week if the cladding is the same as Grenfell, the housing body said it was unable to comment until the official report on Grenfell was published.
But in a statement yesterday the Housing Executive (NIHE) moved to address concerns.
A spokesman said: "We can categorically state that that the two cladding systems in use in our tower blocks are not the same as that used in the Grenfell tower block in London.
"We know this as we have received correspondence from Department for Communities and Local Government in London (via the Department of Communities)."
Last week The Irish News reported how a senior fire safety expert had raised concerns about plans to clad tower blocks in north Belfast, saying it appeared to be contrary to building regulations.
But NIHE has been keen to reassure its tenants following the London fire tragedy, insisting that "regulations were complied with in full and that high standards were observed" for its buildings.
Its representatives have met with the fire service and council authorities, and staff have been carrying out checks on all 32 of its high-rise residential blocks in Northern Ireland.
