Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----in terms of the internal work. We informed residents about this. However, this is tinkering around the edges until the fundamental issue is grasped, and I urge Cork City Council to grasp it. I also believe, however, that one of the obstacles to this is the lack of a clear funding stream for the regeneration of flat complexes. Obviously, general funding is available for maintenance and so on and the council has its own resources but these are expensive jobs. Windows can be replaced, plumbing can be fixed and so on but the buildings are not fit for purpose as they have gone beyond their useful lifespan. They need to be fundamentally regenerated and that is where the council, working with the Department of housing, needs to focus its energy. The windows can be fixed and it will improve things for a time, which is welcome, but these flats have gone beyond their best days.

I will continue to raise this matter and I hope the Minister of State will raise it with the Minister, including the description I have given. I am conscious it is a slightly different make so is maybe in different category. There are issues with the Desmond Square apartments as well, which I have raised in the past. I hope the Minister of State will bring this to the Minister. There are mothers who are worried about their children catching their hands on the railings because they are jagged and rusted.

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