Housing regeneration in Dublin flats
Deputy McDonald presses for long-delayed regeneration of Dublin flat complexes, citing overcrowding, damp and slow delivery in areas such as O'Devaney Gardens and Constitution Hill. The Taoiseach accepts the importance of regeneration and says progress has been made, while the exchange briefly detours into personal back-and-forth with the Minister.
I do not know whether the Taoiseach is familiar with Dublin city's flat complexes. If he has been in and out of them, he will know that they are fairly unique and are incredible communities. He will also have observed how badly let down they have been by successive Governments. Some of the living conditions for citizens in our inner cities are reminiscent of another era, such is the level of hardship and the extent to which there is overcrowding and damp. There is a real need for regeneration. People have been waiting a decade or more for the promised regeneration to be delivered on. The flats on Dominick Street are one example. It has taken more than 15 years. I can see the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, speaking. It is only half way complete. It is a long-----
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Deputy McDonald would not have acknowledged that.
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-----saga. Do not mind me, Minister. This issue is about the people who live in these flats, not his sensitivities, with all due respect to him.
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I know that. Nor is it about the Deputy’s sensitivities.
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In O'Devaney Gardens, only 56 units have been delivered 20 years on. There has been a six-year wait for progress for the flats at Constitution Hill. I could go on and on. Why are these communities and families left to wait and live in conditions that no one here lives in or would be prepared or tolerate living in?
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While I do not want to get in the way of a discussion between the Deputy and my colleague the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, I accept the important issue in respect of regeneration. It is not only about the regeneration of homes and flats but also of communities and the importance of getting on with that. I am proud of the progress made. The flats on Dominick Street have now seen significant progress, as have the flats in O'Devaney Gardens, although I am not sure whether her party was always in support of that. As regards the flats at Constitution Hill, my understanding is they are now being upgraded. We continue to want to see the regeneration of those projects. The Dublin city centre task force places a focus on a number of areas around this. I know Deputy McDonald fed into this task force and I hope we can work together on this issue in the time ahead.