Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Minister's commitment to regeneration and the social agenda nationally. His reply did not contain the news I was expecting, but we are where we are. The fall of the public private partnerships, while disappointing, is a reflection of what happened in the economy. As someone who served on the regeneration boards, I feel it was a reflection of the many community groups which really put the nail in the coffin of many such boards that were supposed to go ahead at that time.

I welcome the fact the Department has received the new works programme from Dublin City Council. I look forward to working with the Minister and the city council to keep the hopes of those still living in St. Teresa's Gardens alive. Hopefully, they will be able to have new homes in St. Teresa's Gardens and in the wider community also. This regeneration programme is long overdue so I hope some pressure can be put on the board to get on with the job. The board members do not live there, but the local people do.

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