Most public buildings have them fitted but domestic dwellings generally do not have them, although they have been compulsory in new build houses in Wales since April 2011.

BBC: Why don't homes have sprinkler systems?

Our administration is already encouraging certain low-income public housing residents to own and manage their own dwellings.

CNN: State of the Union Address

Mr McCausland has pledged this autumn to unveil future plans for public housing in Northern Ireland, which could see the NIHE abolished and its dwellings hived-off to new or existing housing associations.

BBC: 'Weaknesses' in NIHE contract management