Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The report was produced based on contributions from the community itself, both at meetings in the north inner city in direct discussion with Kieran Mulvey when he was preparing the report, and in its own evidence given to me in Government Buildings on a number of occasions. I would remind Deputy O'Sullivan that, in respect of housing, which she mentioned, the north and south inner city housing plans include €30 million for the regeneration of Dominick Street and €27 million for the regeneration of St. Teresa's Gardens. There is also the new multi-million euro plan to develop O'Devaney gardens and a lot of other support for investment in community supports and housing.

The setting up of an office in the north inner city is not about having statutory people removed from the community. It is for the community to be in there, to be involved and to ask what is happening with project X or project Y in their location, so that everybody understands that both the moneys that are being continued and the new moneys that are being invested are for regeneration for the people of the area and that it is not just a case of outsiders moving in and telling the community to do this or that.

All aspects of this report came from people in that locality themselves. They said that this was what they wanted for their area and asked how best they could implement it. It is under way. I will meet them but I want to have the office set up and I want to have the system in place. Then we can talk about possible greater community representation but believe me, the consultation and the opportunity for community involvement will be there on a constant basis because there will be an office in the north inner city.

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