Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the way the regeneration projects in Dublin, for example St Theresa's Gardens, Tom Kelly Road, St Michael's Estate, O'Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street, Dublin, will be completed with a diminishing capital budget, [37553/11]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the amount of money he intends to supply in 2012 and onwards for the continuation and completion of regeneration projects which are already underway in Ballymun, Dublin, and in Limerick. [37745/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 12 together.

My Department supports an ambitious programme of regeneration projects to deliver integrated physical, social and economic regeneration, ranging from large-scale urban regeneration projects such as those in Ballymun and Limerick city to smaller estate-wide projects in Dublin city and in a number of regional towns around the country. Ensuring this programme is adequately resourced remains a key element of the Government's housing policy for next year and beyond.

Our commitment is reflected in the priority given to funding for regeneration despite the adverse economic conditions and Exchequer constraints. Funding of up to €124.6 million has been made available this year for the programme, a substantial sum which accounts for 25% of the overall capital investment under the housing programme for 2012. Of this, some €101 million is being directed towards the regeneration programmes in Ballymun, Limerick and Dublin city.

In terms of funding for next year, my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, announced details last week of the public capital programme for 2012. It is my intention to ensure that a sufficient amount of funding for my Department's social housing investment programme is made available in 2012 to deliver real progress in the case of each of these projects, having regard to their particular stage of development and in the context of the wider programme. My Department is currently liaising closely with relevant local authorities and agencies in determining the regeneration work programme for 2012. I intend to announce details of the capital allocations under the housing programme, including the allocations for regeneration, as soon as possible after the Estimates process has been concluded.

For next year, I am particularly anxious to ensure that significant progress is made in accelerating the regeneration programme in Limerick, meeting the remaining housing need in Ballymun and addressing the most pressing housing deficits of the former public private partnership, PPP, regeneration projects in Dublin.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I take this opportunity to thank Deputy Willie Penrose for his assistance with all of our requests for information. He did a good job in his role of Minister of State with responsibility for housing and I wish him well for the future.

The capital allocation for the regeneration programme should not be subject to any further cuts. There is an urgent necessity to progress these projects, which are crucial in righting the wrongs of many decades of underfunding in those neglected areas throughout the State which have been ravaged by unemployment, drug abuse and serious crime. They benefit not only the residents concerned but also encourage growth in local areas by encouraging new businesses and creating jobs.

The regeneration projects in Dublin are vital and have been flagged for many years. Some work has been undertaken but progress has effectively stalled. Most of these projects were to be done as public private partnerships. What is the Minister's current position in regard to PPP projects? Is he still actively pursuing private sector investment in conjunction with Exchequer capital funding?

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I will take this opportunity to go through the various regeneration projects and the stages they are at. Next year will see the completion of the Shangan 5 and Sillogue 4 projects in Ballymun, which between them will deliver 215 housing units. The commencement of a new housing project at Coultry 6 will deliver 25 units. In Limerick the coming year will see the focus of the regeneration project continue to shift from the preparatory, relocation and demolition work within estates to construction and refurbishment. New housing projects are expected to commence in Ballinacurra Weston, South Hill and King's Island, and the first new housing at Cliona Park will be completed.

At St. Michael's estate, Inchicore, construction of phase one, consisting of 75 new units of accommodation, will be completed in 2012, with tenants expected to move in shortly afterwards. Consideration is being given to the development of a social and economic plan for the new estate, which will inform future decisions in this area. A statutory planning application was lodged at the end of 2010 for Dominick Street and a decision is expected at the end of December. Planning permission was granted over the summer months for the redevelopment O'Devaney Gardens and my officials have met with Dublin City Council to discuss the next steps.

There is one remaining PPP project under consideration by Dublin City Council, at Charlemont Street, in respect of which planning permission for a mixed-use development was granted on 5 May 2011. The formal PPP procurement process is being undertaken by the council in conjunction with the National Development Finance Agency. We are in favour of any mechanism that can be employed to mobilise private and public investment in order to deal with the issues outlined by the Deputy.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I am aware of most of these developments, particularly the projects in Ballymun. I am concerned at what is happening in Limerick, where there has been little progress in terms of housing units delivered. A great deal of preparatory work has been done, but the delivery has not been substantial. Knocknaheeny in Cork is another area which has been considered for regeneration. These are very deprived areas which are in great need of investment and redevelopment.

The Minister indicated that only one PPP project is under way. Is the Government still pursuing a partnership approach or is it instead proceeding on the basis that capital investment in this area will not be made in conjunction with private input? I did not receive a direct answer from the Minister to that question. A multidisciplinary task force on housing was set up some time ago to examine all of this. Has that group produced a full report in terms of what is likely to be delivered, the timeframes involved and the benefits to the communities in question?

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has inadvertently forgotten to congratulate us on the recent purchase of the Opera shopping centre in Limerick city out of the regeneration programme, to which €12.5 million has been allocated.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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My belated congratulations.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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There is a tendency to forget about the positive developments that are taking place.

I agree with the Deputy in regard to the housing and community development aspect of the Limerick regeneration programme. It has been slow.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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It has been going on for years.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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It has been going on for far too long without very much to show for it.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Exactly.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I am totally in agreement with the Deputy on that point. I will be visiting Limerick in mid-January to review what is happening there. We are moving towards a position where the regeneration programme for Limerick city will be under the remit of a new entity - not the city council but a unified authority - in order to drive the programme forward and secure more progress in return for the significant investment that continues to be made.

We are interested in pursuing PPP projects. Anywhere we can secure private funding, in conjunction with public moneys, in order to fast-track a project, we will be delighted to do so. However, I understand private investors are finding it difficult to secure funding from financial institutions for that purpose.