Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

While I thank the Minister of State for his reply, I believe some of the facts he has offered highlight the very problem I am talking about. With respect to Dolphin House, 100 social units have been completed and a further 28 are in preparation, but that amounts to 128 out of 750, as the Minister of State mentioned. Community amenities, including a community centre and community park, are also to be provided.

It is five years since phase 1 was developed. Phases 2 and 3 seem to be in the distant future, without any sign of meaningful completion. Again, I point to the example of St. Michael's House. It was demolished 21 years ago but we still have to see the regeneration. Therefore, there is a deeper problem. The tone of the Minister of State's response is such that it places the responsibility back with Dublin City Council but councils in general struggle due to a lack of staff. The issue of council staffing is very much in the hands of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. Dublin City Council cannot hire street sweepers, engineers or architects without the sign-off of that Department. Therefore, it is an issue for central government, not Dublin City Council.

Councils face funding challenges in getting these homes built. This has been a significant contributor to the delays at St. Michael's House, which was demolished about 21 years ago.

I would hate to see Oliver Bond flats or Dolphin House hitting that milestone. Equally, councils struggle because Dublin City Council constantly has to run back to the Department of housing because the Custom House weighs heavy on them with unneeded and burdensome regulations. We now need help from central government to let the councils do this. We must fund them and give them the staff to make sure this regeneration happens.

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