Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this Topical Issue matter is to ask the Minister of State, Deputy English, who has responsibility for regeneration, to discuss a social and affordable housing scheme model for two sites in particular, one in St. Michael's Estate and the other in Shanganagh, and that the scheme be publicly funded. The model we are proposing, which we have discussed before, is different from that which is being considered and which has been lauded by the Department for a good while. We propose that the sites be publicly funded to ensure we do not repeat the mistakes of the past and that we do not see, as the community in Inchicore, in particular, has seen, the collapse of the PPP model in St. Michael's Estate. Depending on the private sector left us in the mess we are still suffering from. Depending on it again would leave us at the mercy of those developers who are still plying their trade.

3 o’clock

The model we are talking about brings benefits to the local society and society as a whole. I do not know how much the Minister of State knows about St. Michael's Estate. It was originally Richmond Barracks then Keogh Square. We want to make sure that the next chapter is totally different and that the local authority housing there is affordable to rent and affordable to purchase. Regeneration has been promised for many years and it is not just a question of homes but of society. We do not want to see hopes being built up and dashed again. Our proposal is aimed not only at helping those on the housing and homeless list but also those who are excluded from the housing list who cannot afford the obscene, higher-than-ever rents being demanded everywhere in the city and beyond and who cannot afford a mortgage for the few homes that are for sale because of the runaway prices.

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