Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

It is not the Department but Dublin City Council that brings forward proposals and prioritises. The council has set up a housing task force since the collapse of the PPPs in 2008. Phase 1 of St. Michael's Estate, consisting of 75 new units of accommodation, is under way. Demolitions are planned for this summer and the family resource centre will be moved. Funding has been agreed to undertake this work. In Dominick Street, 65 of the units are still occupied and demolition work will commence later this year. A statutory planning application was lodged at the end of 2010. Subject to confirmation of planning and detailed proposals from the council, the Department will consider the project for pre-tender approval.

At O'Devaney Gardens, some 88 units are occupied. A planning application was lodged in December 2010 and approval has already been secured in respect of demolition. Detailed funding proposals are awaited from Dublin City Council. The council has set out its prioritisation list in this context. I must act in the context of what comes forward. In straitened economic circumstances, with limited resources, people are entitled to live in decent accommodation. The conditions illustrated are unacceptable and deplorable.

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