Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know that Deputy Catherine Byrne has taken a great interest in this issue and has raised it on many previous occasions. I want to assure her that my Department also has a great interest in seeing this commenced and completed to the satisfaction of the residents.

The national regeneration programme targets the country's most disadvantaged communities. My Department supports the ambitious programme of regeneration projects which seeks to address the causes of disadvantage in communities through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration.

Of the €397 million spent under the 2012 housing capital programme, some 25% was used to progress regeneration projects. Almost €50 million of this was spent on regeneration projects in Dublin, including Ballymun and the former PPP projects such as St. Teresa's Gardens, O'Devaney Gardens, St. Michael's Estate and Dolphin House.

Dublin City Council previously intended carrying out the redevelopment of St. Teresa's Gardens by way of a public private partnership. To the great disappointment of everyone, including public representatives and local tenants, the PPP model became non-viable.

With the support of my Department, the city council established a special housing taskforce to examine alternative redevelopment options. As a result of this, the city council submitted a draft schematic regeneration proposal, developed in consultation with the regeneration board for St. Teresa's Gardens, to my Department last year. The Department is continuing to work closely with the city council to try to develop those proposals further.

Last December, the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, visited St. Teresa's Gardens to discuss the proposals with the relevant city council officials. She impressed on them the absolute necessity to finalise the master planning process and get the demolition and refurbishment programme underway. As Deputy Byrne has said, initial works were carried out at St. Teresa's Gardens.

The Department has received the draft 2013 regeneration work programme from Dublin City Council. This includes a programme of demolition and refurbishment works at St. Teresa's Gardens. There are no firm proposals for the construction of the new homes yet, in advance of the master plan. However, departmental officials will meet with Dublin City Council shortly to discuss this year's work programme. The regeneration proposals for St. Teresa's Gardens will be high on the agenda.

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