Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to raise this important issue, namely, the introduction of a sale of flats scheme. Such a scheme must be introduced because it would be an extremely important social inclusion measure. When the sale of houses scheme for council tenants, there were huge improvements in estates throughout the country, particularly those in Dublin.

The difficulty is that many people live in substandard accommodation in Dublin City Council flat complexes. Fire safety in many of these complexes is not adequate. There was a fire recently in one of the top floor flats at the Beech Hill complex in Donnybrook in my constituency and firefighters could not gain access from the rear of the building. That is not acceptable. The fire regulations must be changed so that people can raise their children in an atmosphere of security and safety.

The standard of electric wiring in many flats is not acceptable and needs to be upgraded as a matter of urgency. The position in respect of drainage is similar, with sewerage pipes running through people's flats and, in many cases, their kitchens. Flats are regularly flooded as a result of old and rusting pipes.

Those who live on the top floor of flat complexes experience continual problems with leaks because many of their roofs need repair. These roofs are often repaired but within months the problem returns and there is a need for further repair. This is an expensive process.

Bedrooms in flats are often tiny and this accentuates the difficulty that arises in the context of overcrowding. Even if a sale of flats scheme is introduced, most of those who live in council flats in Dublin will not be able to avail of it because their homes are in such a substandard condition. It would be wrong for the council to sell substandard flats to tenants who are eager to buy.

Many people have stated that there is a need for a sale of flats scheme and that it must be introduced as quickly as possible. However, we must get it right and ensure that we do not sell second-hand goods to tenants. It will be possible for those flats that are refurbished to be sold under the scheme when it is finally introduced. However, those which are not refurbished will not be sold.

The redevelopment of flat complexes is ongoing. I refer here to the complexes at Charlemont Street and York Street. Other redevelopment projects are already in the pipeline. However, this is not sufficient. We need a redevelopment scheme in respect of which a clear timeframe for commencing and completing works will be set down. The flat complexes at Beech Hill, Mercer House, located a stone's throw from the Dáil, Glover's Court, Bishop Street, Ringsend, Irishtown, Rathmines and Pearse Street are in a substandard condition and should be redeveloped.

Tenants deserve to live in modern and safe accommodation. The Government must ensure that flat complexes are redeveloped to such a degree that their tenants will be able to avail of a sale of flats scheme, were it to be introduced. The residents of most of the flat complexes to which I refer would not be in a position to avail of such a scheme. People have invested a great deal of money in their flats and, like those who own the houses in which they live, they want to pass them on to their family members. They should be entitled to do so and I ask the Minister of State to ensure the scheme to which I refer is introduced as a matter of urgency.

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