Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of the home renovation scheme which was announced in the budget and I welcome its commencement tomorrow. There was a concern that projects which were ready to go might have been paused to benefit from the tax rebate. I also raise the issue of unfinished housing estates. The budget provided for €10 million to go towards a pilot project with five local authorities, which are to pick up the pieces dropped by developers. That is a very good idea but the scheme may be somewhat restrictive. I believe a mistake is being made in that the works will apply only to a scheme of houses, or a housing estate. My concern is that this will be a case of not joining up the dots in respect of works being done. Estates will be brought up to an acceptable standard, something we would all agree with, but they will remain unconnected to the main urban areas, in terms of footpaths and lights. This is an occasion when local authorities could advance the small extra portions of work required to bring about a cohesive strategy and have works done in their entirety within the urban area. If we do not do this work now, when the crews are mobilised and on site, it will never be cheaper. I am concerned that if the estate works are completed but without proper connections being made to the main streets of towns and villages, they will never be made. As we know, local authorities are badly strapped for funds and it is unlikely such extra works would happen. This is the time to do them when the work is happening within the estates.