Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this motion. It is important for those living in the flats across inner city Dublin, for the people living in Nicholas Street, Ross Road and Bride Street. So many people have lost so much because of the overcrowded conditions in their homes. Flats are overcrowded and neglected by the Government. Two and three generations are living under one small roof. Dampness and mould are impacting many people. The Government is overwhelmed by the issues facing residents living in the likes of Leo Fitzgerald House and Digges Street. If it was not overwhelmed, the Government would do something about it, but it is not doing anything. There are no signs that it is committed to changing the lives and conditions of people living in flat complexes. There is very little evidence to suggest that is the case.

The Government is happy to increase the number of people living in inner city communities, but it has no interest in increasing the facilities and services available to those same local communities. Neglect of inner city communities will be the legacy of this Government. Neglect of those living in flat complexes will be the legacy of this Government. Investment in inner city communities and in the flat complexes is needed. We need direct intervention by the Government to co-ordinate and ringfence funding for the redevelopment of the flat complexes. We also need to focus on the delivery of social and affordable homes, as has been mentioned. Not enough is being done to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing.

Residents are concerned about the slow rate of development of the Ringsend and Irishtown Glass Bottle site. I met the Irish Glass Bottle Housing Action Group last night. It is concerned that the affordable homes will not be affordable. Prices of apartments on the Glass Bottle site that have been mentioned are in the region of €650,000. That is hardly affordable. With the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, due to be dissolved in 2025, residents request that the 20% stake NAMA has in the Glass Bottle Site be transferred to Dublin City Council and ringfenced for affordable homes on the Glass Bottle site in order to nudge the cost towards affordability. Will the Minister of State commit to this happening? It is doable and it must be done.

I also reiterate the many calls for the extension of the eviction ban. Today my office received four calls from tenants who are facing eviction at the start of April. People talk about a cliff. It is scary for people. People are at their wits' end and it will be unacceptable if the Government does not extend the eviction ban.

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