Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

During his visit to Sheriff Street with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, last February, the Taoiseach stated the Departments based in the area needed to do more as members of the local community. He said this should include hiring more local residents. Will the Taoiseach outline what steps he has taken to follow up on this statement? How many local people have been hired as a result of his commitment? When we discussed the task force on the previous occasion, I identified housing as a key issue and I agree with Deputy McDonald. I have been with Mary Fitzpatrick on a tour of the area. The quality of housing is a key issue and there is a big gap in the initiative's focus. The need to have a substantive regeneration project similar to Limerick and other areas is a key ingredient in terms of generational change.

The quality of housing in which people are living is appalling in many instances, and there are also empty flats and complexes that have not been developed. One of the big issues going forward will be the inability of people living in the community to have sustainable housing in terms of owning their own houses and retaining and sustaining a community spirit. The biggest developments are in student accommodation and there is a danger of a change in terms of the living environment for many people. Housing is something that needs to be focused on in this area, and there has been a gap in terms of the assessment of the issue, apart from other positives in terms of Garda activity, which I commend. I pay tribute to the Garda for the work it has been doing in the area.

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