Dublin flat regeneration
Deputy Andrews argued that the new Dublin City task force confirmed long-standing problems in flat complexes and urged fast-tracking regeneration and refurbishment. The Minister welcomed the report, cited existing projects and funding, and said the Government would look at how to expedite delivery, though Andrews complained that projects were concentrated on the northside.
The Dublin City task force launched earlier this week. It is hard to believe the Government needed to do a report to tell you what was wrong with Dublin City Council because we have been saying it in this House for years. I have been telling the Minister the issues with the redevelopment of the flat complexes. One of the task force proposals was the fast-tracking of flat regeneration, which is very important. So many of the flats are rotting from the inside to the outside because of the dampness and the mould. So many residents living in the flats are denied fire doors and properly insulated doors, even though when a new tenant moves in, they have new doors installed, and that is great, obviously, and very welcome. Tenants who have been paying rent for years, however, are denied a proper fire safety door. How is that fair? It is not really fair. Will the Government take on and commit to fast-tracking, like the task force suggested, the regeneration of flat complexes down to five years?
Comment on this
I welcome the task force report. I will agree with the Deputy on this. There are things in it we were doing already and there are things in it we know we need to do. I have visited most of the flat complexes in this city. I know the Deputy was at one of the visits with me and we had good engagement with the residents there. We have had some very good regeneration projects completed in Dublin, in Dorset Street and St. Mary's Mansions along with many others. The existing tenants who have been paying rent for a long time deserve to have their homes refurbished too. I have pursued that with the city council, in this instance, and other local authorities. In many instances-----
Comment on this
They do not have the funding, though.
Comment on this
The local authorities have more funding now than they have ever had. I have to say that the leadership of the new chief executive of Dublin City Council, Mr. Richard Shakespeare, and the focus he has brought to bear on housing is very welcome. Dublin City Council is delivering some fantastic new schemes and on the refurbishment and regeneration. There are in excess of 100 refurbishment and regeneration projects that are scheduled. That is a lot.
Comment on this
We need to see how we can expedite that, and we will, certainly.