Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for agreeing to an impromptu meeting with a delegation last week. I want to discuss the remedial works scheme at Mullaghmatt estate in Monaghan town. There are 170 houses on the estate, half of which are in private ownership and the remainder in council ownership. The estate, which is more than 40 years old, is beginning to show its age and needs a face lift. The remedial works scheme will help to regenerate the estate in that regard.

A pilot scheme being operated in the estate is nothing short of excellent and people are pleased with the work being done by the contractors. However, an estate committee, which is working towards rebuilding the estate, wants to play a part in the planning process but feels it is being left out of the loop. Much would be gained by giving the committee some form of ownership of the project. The council has passed the contract to the National Building Agency but people on the estate also have ideas for the project.

Funding is available, to a maximum of 50%, for replacing windows and other refurbishments but private owners will have to pay upwards of €3,000. Many people would consider that small money but it is a significant expense to many people on the estate. Approximately 70% of the owners whose houses need refurbishment will not apply for funding because they cannot afford the repayments. The people who can afford to pay for refurbishments have already done so. Full use should be made of these funds because it would defeat the purpose if only two out of ten houses in a row installed new windows. People do not desire a patchwork arrangement of that nature.

The committee is concerned that some of the money assigned for refurbishments will be returned unused and is investigating whether soft loans could made available. Some of the people concerned are unemployed and unable to take up this generous offer. The committee has ideas on progressing the project and is seeking a meeting with the NBA.

The estate is improving and investors are starting to buy houses in it, which sends out the right type of signal. A visit to the estate would be worthwhile in order to see the work already completed in part one of the project. I urge the Minister of State to allow the committee to become part of the decision-making process.

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