Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I have had a particular interest in these issues for some time, representing as I do a major population centre in Dublin South West, dominated by Tallaght, which is the third largest population centre in the country. Over the years we have faced challenges as far as taking in charge of estates is concerned. In recent times there has been much highlighting in Tallaght of the fact that the Sundale-Suncroft Estate has not been taken in charge, despite being built over ten years ago. There have been other problems in that regard.

I am particularly interested in what the Minister said about apartments. These are a modern phenomenon. A critic told me yesterday that what used to be called flats are now called apartments. These challenges face my community just as they face many other communities. The Minister knows Tallaght and is aware that it was often said about it that it had the population of a city but the status of a village. We have made much progress over the past 15 years in terms of provision of infrastructure and facilities. Of course, many gaps remain and I am happy, with other colleagues, to continue to represent those needs.

If one looked around Tallaght today, one would see 20 cranes working, even on town centre lands. We suddenly have a different landscape and different types of accommodation buildings. There are a number of apartment blocks on town centre lands and apartment blocks are being built in Tallaght village. People have come to me with concerns about what they see as the challenge of these apartments and the different types of accommodation units being provided. A few weeks ago I raised with the Minister through Dáil business the simple matter, also highlighted by Deputy Gilmore and others, of the difficulty local authorities have registering people on the voting register because apartment blocks are locked up and there are no post boxes. The accommodation is different than traditional accommodation units.

There is much criticism of the units in my community. I highlighted this yesterday at a meeting, with colleagues, including the leader of the Labour Party, with the county manager and his management staff in South Dublin County Council. We highlighted to them the problems that exist with apartment blocks. We also highlighted the difficulties they create for others, including many of the people who live in them.

With regard to the points made in Deputy Gilmore's motion, it is important that we understand there are difficulties and it is only right that all sides of the House highlight them. I am glad the Minister has given me a sympathetic ear when I brought to him problems in my constituency and local community with regard to apartment blocks. I mentioned the difficulties to him and know he has received correspondence on the matter from people in apartment blocks in Tallaght and in the Kiltipper area, particularly Marlfield. People have pointed out the particular difficulties that exist in these apartment blocks. In many cases these people have moved into Tallaght and have made a big commitment and investment in the area. They are happy to be close to the Square and the Luas.

I have often said, and do not apologise for doing so, that Tallaght is a positive place and it is great that so many people want to live there. There are, however, issues with which we must deal. I am glad the Minister is taking account of the particular difficulties that exist with apartment blocks, particularly in the Kiltipper area, which I have brought to his attention.

I take the view, and I expressed this view to the south Dublin county manager yesterday, that the council should not use these management systems to absolve itself of responsibility for apartment blocks. The council should continue to watch and take action where necessary to ensure that those moving to these apartment blocks still have all their needs dealt with, for example, public liability, landscaping, street lighting and refuse collection. Some correspondence from Marlfield that I shared with the Minister during the week pointed out that there are difficulties with regard to refuse collections and these other issues.

I support what the Minister said in his speech. It is important that we understand that there are new and particular challenges as far as many apartment blocks are concerned. I hope that this is discussed in contacts with county managers, not only in south Dublin but throughout the Dublin region and the rest of the country. I was glad to hear the Minister give credit to our colleague, Deputy Catherine Murphy, on doing her job in Kildare. South Dublin is no different in that regard and there are challenges for the Minister there. I am confident the Minister understands these problems, that he is listening to what we are saying and that he will take action. I will continue to press him on these issues and will bring to his attention the various apartments in Tallaght, particularly those in Marlfield and the Kiltipper area.

It is important that the Minister continues to press the various county managers, south Dublin in my case, to continue to ensure they face the challenges posed by the new phenomenon of apartment blocks. Because of density and accommodation needs and the need to deliver new homes there are particular pressures that require new thinking. The Department, in consultation with local authorities, should be part of that thinking. It must understand that the old ways need modernisation. People expect services. People accept the glossy brochures and the good parts of apartment living and move to apartment blocks, but they still expect to have good services. They do not want to be ambushed by management companies. I know there are good and bad management companies, and in the past few weeks we have heard in the Dáil about both. It is important the Minister consider these issues in a different way.

There is a question with regard to planning permissions and dealing with planning applications in the context of these issues and challenges. I apologise if I have used the word "challenge" too often in this contribution, but it is an important word as far as this issue is concerned.

See this speech in context