Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I understand Mr. Kieran Mulvey presented the interim report to members of the local community just very recently. I have been told by quite a number of people that while people very much welcome the fact that the report has been issued at all, they have serious concerns over the fact that no mention was made of the investment of money to implement the various proposals, some of which are very good. Can the Taoiseach give an undertaking to the House that these proposals will be fully funded? There were not even any costs in regard to most of them. We know there was about €1 million extra allocated last year and carried over into this year for much-needed sports facilities, for instance. Can the Taoiseach state what will happen to the many iconic buildings in the area, particularly the old Rutland Street school, which is now standing empty for a long time? There seemed to be a difficulty with the task force accepting that historic buildings with a very prominent history in community life may not be restored. Will the Taoiseach commit to addressing these issues?

The other issue is that Mr. Kieran Mulvey suggested very strongly - I support his suggestion - that the employers in the IFSC should become responsible for providing employment opportunities, training and education to local people. Despite agreement on this, there is no mechanism in the report by which to follow it up.

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