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

MDY did not cease building, rather the subcontractors ceased to build because they had not been paid. They have removed scaffolding and all of their equipment from the sites because, once again, subcontractors have been screwed by a bigger company which would not pay them what was due. The other people who have been screwed in this instance are the tenants, in particular those in Cherry Orchard. The reason I focus on them is that the houses in Cherry Orchard were ready to be occupied. I have visited quite a number of them in the past month and I note that they are in walk-in condition. They are of a high standard. The families have visited them and been told what number they will have. A woman I spoke to yesterday was in floods of tears because she is due to leave her rented accommodation on 3 October. She had managed to get an extension from May on the basis that she would be in by July. That is what people were told originally. A significant number of the other tenants who will be moving in have children with autism and other disabilities and have been looking forward to homes with gardens. They have enrolled their children in local schools and, while they remain away from the vicinity, they have had to make travel arrangements for the past two months to Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard.

Dolphin Park is next to an existing facility for senior citizens, which it is to replace. That is 43 houses. There is also a primary care centre. Communities are asking what assurance they can be given that there will be no undue delay. I want the Minister of State to provide a commitment, in particular in the case of Cherry Orchard, that people can move in this week. The houses which have not been handed over are within a day of being finished.

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