Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a huge issue with that. It has a negative effect on the community, the people living there and the children. This is the environment they are growing up in. People are making decisions that have a dramatic impact on the lives of residents and their families. The Chair is correct that Dublin City Council should come before the committee. I also think the Minister should come to answer questions about why this regeneration plan is not being funded. I came straight in here from a meeting of the housing committee. One thing being discussed was the density. The block is because the number of units is reduced, or the number of homes - I do not like the word "units". These are homes. It goes against the density figures of the Department but I think Pearse House has an exceptional case.

Noonan's Road in Cork was probably in a worse condition. It has now been knocked down and all the residents have been taken out. The residents to whom I spoke loved their community. They want to see this regeneration take place but they want to stay in Pearse House. They want to stay with their neighbours and friends. The previous Minister stated two years ago that local authorities would move away from housing maintenance and go into planned maintenance and preventative maintenance. In the past five years, what planned or preventative maintenance, if any, has taken place in all the apartments? I am not talking about once-off measures such as fixing a window or door. I am talking about local authorities coming in. Heating was mentioned. How many years ago was that?