Dáil debates

Wednesday, 23 January 2013

Topical Issue Debate

Remedial Works in Housing Estates

2:50 pm

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me time to discuss the important issue of the ongoing position at Gleann Riada Estate in County Longford. I ask the Minister of State with responsibility for housing to provide a detailed update on the remedial works being carried out at Gleann Riada, for which funding was allocated by her Department last November, and the progress on the practical alleviation of the problems being experienced by the residents. Indeed, these have been well documented.

The allocation of €200,000 for the remedial works at Gleann Riada last November was welcome. However, the estate was built on a flood plane, the sewerage network is inadequate and substandard, and poison gas has been escaping into family homes, which is extremely serious. Unless the Minister of State can give me facts to set my concerns at rest, the allocation of €200,000 and the €90,000 provided last August will not be enough and further funding will be needed, notwithstanding the additional funding from the developer's bond.

It could, however, be a case of throwing good money after bad. It is self-evident that if residents have moved into an estate they did not realise was built on a flood plain, they will be the victims of ongoing and perhaps unsolvable problems. Explosions in a residential estate would certainly shake the confidence of home owners and Gleann Riada experienced this horror twice last year, in March and October.

The ongoing problems in the estate are well documented and compounded by the lack of public transport and deficiencies in the estate's roads. What we now see is the result of greed fostered by section 23 tax exemptions that were availed of by the estate's developer. Unfortunately, while he gained, the residents certainly have not. With the suspicion that the explosions were caused by leaking sewer gases from a substandard sewerage network, the residents must feel the anxiety that comes form living in the vicinity of an active volcano. Connected to this are the high illness rates among residents, which are well-documented by local GPs and which are well above the norm for other estates. Longford County Council has admitted there have been health hazards and that the levels of hydrogen sulfide in three houses exceeded the WHO recommended levels for indoor air for 24 hour exposure.

Most citizens are currently living through an economic nightmare. The residents of the Gleann Riada estate, like others, have their financial and personal problems, but we can only imagine the stress of living in a housing nightmare on top of other worries. I am seeking assurances from the Minister of State that the residents of Gleann Riada will not be fobbed off with patch-up works that will not solve their problems in the long term. They must have a finished estate where they can have full confidence or they must be moved to a more viable location and safer housing.

I must question the planning process that saw permission granted for this estate from hell on a flood plain. Problems will manifest themselves in the future if not in the short term. It is sometimes hard to believe we actually have a planning process that is considered competent. I hope the Minister of State will provide facts and figures and details of the works carried out at Gleann Riada that will ensure the housing and the environment are totally safe for the residents. My personal feeling is that Gleann Riada will never totally overcome the deficiencies that have beset it.

3:00 pm

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I thank Deputy Bannon for raising this matter. Two explosions occurred in the Gleann Riada development in March and October of last year, the first in a privately owned dwelling, the second involving an external boiler. Subsequent to the first explosion, Longford County Council established an expert steering group and appointed a firm of consulting engineers to investigate the causes of the explosion.


The specific findings of the engineer's report were made available to residents of the terrace in Gleann Riada, as well as general advice to other residents in the estate. Longford County Council appointed Tobin Consultants to investigate the causes of the explosion. The findings of this report were given to the occupants of the six properties involved. Longford County Council has also established a steering group to address the range of issues faced by the occupants of the Gleann Riada development and is liaising with the other State authorities involved, including, inter alia, the Health and Safety Authority. The residents of Gleann Riada have initiated legal action but not yet served proceedings against Longford County Council.


The Department initially approved funding totalling €91,753.40 for Gleann Riada in August 2012 to cover the cost of addressing immediate public safety concerns. In November I approved further funding of €200,000 under the public safety initiative, taking account of a potential risk of further public realm or PSI-type difficulties with this development that such an assessment and plan may identify and the wider pressures on the finances of Longford County Council.


Unfortunately, the issues faced by the residents of the Gleann Riada development are a severe example of the legacy problems we inherited on a national basis in relation to unfinished housing developments. I am leading the Government's efforts to tackle this issue. I chair the national co-ordination committee on unfinished housing developments to oversee implementation of the report of the advisory group on unfinished housing developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. The committee is comprised of representatives from the banking sector, the local authorities, NAMA, and the construction sector, as well as my Department. I consider that harnessing these various areas of expertise in a collaborative approach will result in the most effective resolution of the issues facing us.


The Deputy asked about what had been done. Assisted by the public safety initiative funding allocated by the Department, the development has had a comprehensive underground CCTV survey carried out. This identified the need for repair work on the foul and storm networks. Longford County Council will install or improve vents, manholes and gullies to ensure the major issues caused by the explosions are alleviated. Issues regarding public lighting will also be addressed, while such necessary works as are required will be carried out on the internal road network, and a range of other works is scheduled that will address the concerns of the residents of Gleann Riada.


The Deputy is very concerned about this and it is a serious development. I briefly met some of the residents a couple of months ago and outlined some of the work that has been done in co-operation with Longford County Council, and I have no doubt the Deputy is in regular contact with the council as well.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for her time and the assurances she has given. Whether they are enough to satisfy the residents of Gleann Riada is another matter. I will monitor progress and will not hesitate to raise this matter repeatedly until there is a satisfactory outcome to the issue for the residents of the estate. Progress towards a solution of the difficulties is being monitored by an active and vigilant residents' committee and I welcome the fact the Minister of State met them. That committee enjoys my full support in the search for a resolution. While I am aware the Government has inherited the fall-out of greed and corruption, it is essential the backs of those being currently targeted are strong enough to carry the burden. The residents of Gleann Riada are victims of a system that was rotten to the core in the past. They must be protected and their right to suitable housing respected. Their health must be assured and the estate made safe for human occupation. That is what I want to see and I will raise this issue repeatedly until it is resolved.

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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We made the initial allocation because we realised the seriousness of the situation and we made further money available as well. I appreciate Deputy Bannon's concern and hope I have been able to alleviate some of those concerns today.