Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Balgaddy was designed as an urban village scheme to include a mix of social, voluntary and private affordable dwellings. Five phases of construction were proposed in the Balgaddy scheme, for which a masterplan was prepared in the year 2000. A total of 400 units have been completed by Gama Construction Limited, the main contractor appointed by South Dublin County Council.

My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for housing and planning, understands from the housing authority that issues have arisen which require remedial works on window sashes, roof flashings and external plaster cracks. There is also an issue with condensation and mould growth which arose as a result of increased insulation linked to ventilation levels required by the building regulations. In some cases condensation is a result of building fabric failure and in others by the pattern of tenant use.

In the past year, a considerable amount of work has been carried out by council staff, and contractors working on their behalf, to address all the issues arising. A dedicated team under the direction of the county architect is now systematically inspecting and evaluating the condition of all housing stock which has been subject of complaints and carrying out any necessary remedial works on a house by house basis. This process will continue until all affected units are addressed. Considerable progress has been made to date and is continuing. A pilot contract to replace window sashes in 14 units has been put in place.

A building survey was commissioned and carried out some months ago by BFP Consulting Engineers, a draft of which was received by the council in July. This is being reviewed against the council programme and any fresh information supplied is being factored into the ongoing work schedule. The contents of the report were broadly in line with the surveys carried out by council technical staff and already being addressed by on-site teams.

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