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

The Deputy and I have discussed this issue on a number of occasions, as has the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, in particular the European committee ruling and the regeneration of social housing flats in inner city Dublin.

The Government and my Department, in particular, have given careful consideration to the report of the European Committee of Social Rights. My Department is committed to ensuring that tenants in social housing are provided with adequate housing that meets the standards most recently laid down in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. To address the issues raised in the report, my Department is actively engaging with the local authority sector to promote the preventative maintenance of local authority housing stock and provide significant funding for stock improvement works. In addition to funding provided by the local authorities in respect of their housing stock, my Department provides funding across a number of programmes to support the local authority work to maintain and improve their social housing stock. In all cases, it is the local authorities that identify the priorities.

My Department issued stage 1 approval on 14 June 2022 for the regeneration of the existing 38-unit flat complex at Glovers Court. Dublin City Council is looking to add additionality to provide housing for up to 49 households at this location. This approval will allow the council to develop a design to best meet the needs of existing and future residents. It has advised me that it has 219 complexes under its remit. Complexes are prioritised for regeneration based on a number of factors, including their age and condition.

Although Glovers Court is one of the newer complexes, built in 1976, its condition meant that it was prioritised for regeneration during this round. As it now has stage 1 approval, it means Dublin City Council can initiate the process of engaging a design team to work on the design proposal for the regeneration of Glovers Court. This will require the development of detailed designs which will be presented to existing tenants as part of the community consultation process. Once planning is approved, the council can move to the next stages of approval and appointment of contractors.

In the meantime, while this project advances and tenant decanting progresses, Dublin City Council will work with the current tenants to ensure that the Glovers Court complex is maintained to the highest standards possible. With regard to water supply and quality issue the council has informed my Department that it has received no reports of contaminated drinking water in Glovers Court. However, I accept the contents of the letter the residents have sent to elected representatives. I await the response of the Deputy.

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