Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on what is a growing and major issue in my constituency of Dublin Central. This issue relates to the future of a large number of apartment complexes developed during the past number of years. There are a multiple of issues affecting many apartment complexes. I have witnessed at first hand the serious situation which owner-occupiers, tenants and those who have purchased under the social and affordable scheme are currently experiencing. The reality is that quite a number of residents of apartment complexes now find themselves in negative equity. In large tracts of my constituency, such as Pelletstown and the Financial Services Centre, owner-occupiers are under severe pressure economically. In some cases, people have lost their jobs and are struggling to pay their mortgages. On top of this they are faced with ever-increasing bills for management services and charges, an issue that has been growing for some time now.

In many cases, the complexes are well managed with owner-occupiers and tenants part of the management system within the complexes. However, large numbers of developments left at the whim of certain individuals are causing extreme difficulty for people who have purchased apartments therein. In some cases, the service charges are completely out of control with no guarantee of service or quality of service. I recall when these developments were being constructed in the early 1980s a person remarking to me that he hoped these developments in the centre of the city would not become the slums of the future. Unfortunately, in a small number of cases this is almost the case.

There has been a large influx into Ireland of people from other countries during the past number of years. These people are either renting accommodation or have purchased apartments in complexes. We are putting these people in a serious position. I understand from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, and from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, that legislation in this regard has been promised for some time. I accept this is a complex area and that if this issue is to be addressed it must be done right. However, in some cases individuals and communities are in dire straits. These people do not know what will be the next step for them. While the vast majority of developers have an interest in their developments and have maintained that interest, the standards in some complexes are extremely low.

Of concern are the tenants and residents who have become involved in the management of complexes as these people have been left with serious obligations under various legislation governing this area. Matters such as sinking funds have been let slide. These people are putting themselves under a serious obligation. I look forward to hearing the reply to this extremely serious issue.

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