Part V tenant access
Deputy Collins raised a Drimnagh build-to-rent complex where Part V tenants allegedly lack access to shared facilities, including playgrounds. The Taoiseach said the issue appears to be largely a matter for Dublin City Council and suggested facility access usually depends on fees.
First, I will express solidarity with the workers in Iceland in the Northside Shopping Centre. I was on the picket line with them a couple of weeks ago. A number of workers were let go after that strike.
I bring to the attention of the Taoiseach the situation of Part V council tenants. We have been dealing with a situation with tenants of a complex in Drimnagh, the Davitt. It is a build-to-rent development of 265 apartments with a basement car park, a gym, internal and external play areas and a community events venue. Part V tenants are not given access to the playground for their children and are not allowed car parking spaces. They are housed in a separate block from private tenants. This issue has been raised with Dublin City Council. This is segregation. It is physical segregation in that they are in a separate block and it is social segregation through the barriers to facilities and amenities. This is not unique to the Davitt; it is taking place in complexes all around the city. This is not a plan for housing for all. It is the plain segregation of council tenants and a model the Government is supporting by increasing the Part V requirement in 2026. What is the Taoiseach going to do to stop this segregation and pepper-potting of social housing?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am not familiar with this particular complex. It is probably a matter for Dublin City Council rather than one for central government.
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It has to do with planning applications and the planning process.
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However, as somebody who lived for 14 years in an apartment complex which had a mix of owner-occupiers, private renters and social housing tenants, I know that access to the car park and other facilities was linked to the payment of a fee for those services.
Comment on this
What about access to playgrounds?