Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Central Statistics Office's small area population statistics, SAPS, indicate that the number of family units comprising mothers with children in Dublin South-Central is 7,066. This is 25% greater than the next highest figure in the State, which is 5,600 in Dublin South-West. There is a significant poverty indicator in these figures. The developments we are discussing are located in areas with the greatest proportion of single parent family units and where the unemployment level is some 60%. They are living in a community where about 75% of households are headed by women. Apart from the five projects mentioned, there are areas where regeneration is to start or continue, such as St. Teresa's Gardens, Dolphin House and Oliver Bond House. All these areas are in desperate need of improvement, regeneration or rebuilding. It is a challenge to us all. Public representatives must bear some responsibility in so far as they did not get people together and consult them quickly enough in order to do the job when the good times were here.

I commend all the groups involved in the various consultation processes. I acknowledge that Deputy Catherine Byrne has been very involved with St. Michael's House and the group in Fatima Mansions. These groups have consulted widely with the community, including the residents they represent, and in large measure they have developed projects that are acceptable to those residents who want to continue with them.

There is no doubt that PPP projects allow for that type of regeneration due to the way they are funded. Essentially they serve two purposes — helping to fund social and affordable housing, while at the same time providing private accommodation so that the social mix will bring about better integration. In that way all the children in an area will have the same opportunities at the highest level.

Dublin City Council has been engaging with the regeneration boards of St. Michael's Estate, O'Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street. The council continues its commitment to the regeneration process. We are aware that St. Michael's Estate and Dominick Street have been left totally in the dark and, effectively, hanging out to dry.

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