Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This issue concerns the ongoing failure of the Government to fulfil a commitment it gave to the people of Dublin and the people of Ringsend and Irishtown in particular that 900 affordable houses would be constructed on the Irish Glass Bottle site. I welcome members of the Irish Glass Bottle Housing Action Group to the Public Gallery. I note that although I am pleased to see the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Phelan, here, I am disappointed the Minister is not here.

This was one of the biggest social and affordable housing projects advanced by the Government. Unfortunately, it has become bogged down in bureaucracy. In May 2017, an agreement was reached between the Government, Dublin City Council and NAMA that the Government would provide funding for the purpose of purchasing 900 social and affordable houses. A strategic development zone, SDZ, was subsequently approved by Dublin City Council on the basis of representations to the council by the then Minister that the receiver was on board and that there was agreement that there could be 25% social and affordable housing on the site. I think a total of 3,500 units were to be constructed.

There was then great surprise when the receiver lodged an appeal earlier this year that was heard by An Bord Pleanála in April 2018. It has now become even more delayed because An Bord Pleanála recently contacted Dublin City Council to say that it required further information. It has given the council until January 2019 to provide that information.

The Government needs to tell us when an agreement between Dublin City Council, the Government and the receiver will be reached. Members of Dublin City Council entered into and approved this SDZ because they believed an agreement existed between the receiver and the Government so the responsibility rests with the Government. It has become bogged down in bureaucracy. The people of Irishtown and Ringsend are waiting for these houses to be constructed. It is an essential part of the Government's housing policy, particularly with regard to social and affordable housing, but we have seen no development with regard to it yet. It has become a mess and I want answers from the Government.

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