Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Andrews for raising this question and speaking so eloquently on it.

The regular management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for each relevant local authority and it is open to each authority to address maintenance or improvements to its housing stock from within its own resources. However, my Department also supports local authorities in improving their social housing stock through a range of programmes, including energy retrofitting, regeneration and refurbishment works to vacant properties in order to return these to productive use as quickly as possible.

My Department currently supports a programme of large-scale regeneration projects in Cork, Limerick and Dublin and smaller projects in Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk. These projects seek to address the causes of disadvantage in their communities through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration. Projects being funded under the programme target the country's most disadvantaged communities, including those defined by the most extreme social exclusion, poverty and deprivation. Between 2016 and 2019, more than 560 units were delivered under the national regeneration programme, supported by funding in excess of €237 million from our Department. There are regeneration projects in the national pipeline that will yield in excess of 740 new homes out to 2023 at an estimated cost of €240 million, which includes a number of significant projects in inner city Dublin.

As the Deputy will be aware, a regeneration project moves through a number of phases during its life: the initial planning stage; decanting of existing tenants; demolition works; enabling works; refurbishment and-or consolidation works in some cases; and construction. The project also moves through a number of pre-construction stages and approvals, with funding being approved for the different phases as required. There may be significant investment in a regeneration project over a number of years before housing units are delivered and ready for occupation.

A number of Dublin City Council projects are currently on site, including phase 1 of the regeneration of St. Teresa's Gardens, which will deliver the first 54 units early in 2021, and Dominick Street, which will deliver 72 units in 2021. Other projects, such as Dolphin House's phase 1b of 35 units, Dorset Street's 115 units in the initial phase and Constitution Hill's 130 units in the initial phase, are all at pre-construction stages.

While the identification of properties for inclusion in any such programme is a matter for the local authority, I understand that Dublin City Council has completed a strategic development audit of its 220 apartment complexes in order to develop a capital housing apartment complex regeneration programme for 2020 to 2040. According to the council, this audit has regard to the physical condition and development potential of the complexes and other relevant factors. The council has identified priorities for each of its 11 electoral areas. I understand that it is examining the feasibility of making a positive intervention at Pearse House, which is a protected structure, and engagement with local elected members and the community will commence shortly.

My Department is working with Dublin City Council in support of advancing this programme, with funding available through various social housing programmes.

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