Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

The model of delivering regeneration through PPPs had merit, as evidenced by the successful regeneration of Fatima Mansions. The project was widely acclaimed as a regeneration success and was delivered at no net cost to the city council. It is also beneficial to meeting the objectives of sustainable communities, as these usually involve a mixture of private and social housing and community and commercial development. The Fatima development is an example of the mixed use and mixed tenure approach. Regarding the future relevance of PPPs in regeneration, the market conditions are not there at present except in circumstances where local authorities' land or sites command high prices.

One remaining PPP project is under consideration, at Charlemont Street, and it was granted planning permission on 5 May 2011. The city council is in the process of commencing consultation with local residents and their representatives. That will be overseen by the NTMA and the procurement process will commence shortly. Some 180 units will be used for social housing purposes, with a significant number of them set aside as replacement units for current residents.

Deputy Boyd Barrett's point about employment is well made and I am not averse to it in respect of getting the maximum number of people in employment.

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