Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies Chris Andrews and Cyprian Brady for raising this matter. I am pleased to be able to respond positively to this motion, which recognises the solid work that has been undertaken by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority since its establishment in 1997 in managing the physical, economic and social regeneration of more than 500 hectares of the docklands. The success of the authority in tackling physical dereliction, lack of investment, inadequate infrastructure and facilities, housing shortfall, poor educational attainment and social isolation is striking.

Some key facts and statistics indicate the extent of the docklands transformation within the past decade. There are now more than 22,000 people living in the docklands, an increase of nearly 30%. The number of people employed has almost doubled to approximately 40,000. More than 750,000 sq. m. of commercial space has been permitted, 25% of the total office development in Dublin since 2002 was in the docklands and more than 5,000 housing units have been constructed and 11,000 housing units will have been delivered by 2012. Of these, 20% will be allocated to social and affordable housing.

Some landmark projects completed in recent years, under way or in the immediate pipeline include: Grand Canal square and theatre, the national conference centre, the Docklands Station at Sheriff Street, the expansion of the Point Theatre and development of the Point Village, the Sean O'Casey and Samuel Beckett bridges, the campshires and the 1 km long Royal Canal linear park. Social regeneration has been as important as physical development. The key to this is investment in education and equal opportunity. More than 30 education programmes are running in docklands schools.

The authority is a progressive body, with a clear vision. Building on the success of the past decade and following extensive stakeholder consultation and wide public engagement, the council of the authority within the past fortnight has unanimously adopted a 2008 master plan under which programmes, projects and policies will be rolled out for the next phase of this regeneration project.

Overall, the docklands continues to be among the largest areas of the city with the opportunity of achieving a sustainable built environment where living, working and leisure can be integrated in a distinct, high quality and coherent urban quarter served by modern public transport infrastructure. There are challenges ahead and the economic downturn will have an effect on the pace of development and present challenges in attracting new businesses. It also remains important to attract more families into the docklands and integrate them successfully with existing communities.

I have every confidence in the capacity of the authority fully to address its regeneration objectives and my Department will continue strongly to support its endeavours. I am pleased to have accepted an invitation from the authority to address its sixth social regeneration conference next January. The theme of the conference, which is likely to be attended by several hundred delegates from local community groups, local State bodies and the business community is, fittingly, Continuity of Delivery, with a special focus on education and quality of life. I look forward to engaging with the authority and all the stakeholders at the conference.

I again thank Deputies Chris Andrews and Cyprian Brady for raising this matter in the House. I am confident in the ability of the authority, assisted by interaction between the political system, Dublin City Council and others, to advance this project, which continues to have the support of my Department.

See this speech in context