Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ellis for raising this important matter. While the redevelopment of Ballymun Shopping Centre is a matter for Dublin City Council, I welcome the opportunity to provide the Deputy with an update. The former shopping centre site is an eight-acre main street one, the development potential of which was reviewed as part of the Ballymun local area plan 2017. The site has been identified for mixed retail and residential use development in the local area plan. The front portion of the site will be affected by the metro north project and Dublin City Council’s housing department and local area office intend to engage with the local area councillors to develop the best development strategy possible for the site, having regard to the proposed metro situation and the economic climate.

As the Deputy is aware, the Ballymun regeneration project has delivered substantial improvements throughout the area. With specific reference to the Ballymun Shopping Centre, I am advised that according to the Ballymun local area plan 2017, Dublin City Council has proposed dividing the land into two sites; site 1A and site 1B. The plans envisage two blocks that would contain 300 residential units facing Sillogue Road on site 1B, while site 1A would see the development of 41,000 sq. m commercial and mixed use buildings, in two blocks, that would face the main street. Dublin City Council has advised that the demolition of the former shopping centre is complete and it is exploring the optimum use for this site. The site is being used to facilitate temporary commercial activities. For example, a funfair was on-site for the May bank holiday weekend.

As the Deputy knows, the Ballymun regeneration programme spanned several years, from 1999 to 2016, and the overall programme is estimated to have expended €972 million. Funding of over €775 million was provided via my Department to 24 projects that were completed. The Ballymun programme represents the largest regeneration initiative ever undertaken in the State. The State's investment resulted in almost 2,000 new replacement homes being constructed for the former residents of the original flat blocks and an additional 1,350 homes were provided via private sector investment. In recent years, regeneration activity has focused on improving the area's environmental performance with various green initiatives and new parks and playing pitches.

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