Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)

Earlier this year, Pearse House residents were devastated to hear that the regeneration plans for their flat complex were going to be pulled. The Government said the plans were pulled because there was no additionality on the site. On a superficial level, one would think that is reasonable. However, the Pearse House complex was built in the 1930s. The flats are absolutely tiny. There is also a preservation order on complex. It was impossible to get additionality on a tight site that is subject to such an order. This has been devastating for residents. They had hopes to move to adequate, proper accommodation, but that now seems a distant dream.

They are not alone. Their counterparts in Markiewicz House, a complex located not far from Pearse House, live in similar conditions. That complex is affected by damp and mould. In addition, there are raw sewage leaks in all flat complexes right across the city. These flats are collapsing around the people who live in them. The residents of Pearse House have engaged in an amazing campaign. They have worked really hard with the council. In fairness, the council and Mick Mulhern have been very supportive and are looking to come up with solutions. Ultimately, it is the Government that holds the purse strings. As a result, it is the Government that will decide what happens to Pearse House. It has decided to put Pearse House residents on hold, having raised their hopes for a number of years.

The residents have campaigned for a long time. They are determined and will not go away. They are going to continue to fight for their rights and for some sort of decent and humane conditions to live in. If the Government were serious about additionality, then it should know that there are sites right beside Pearse House which Dublin City Council own and which could be developed in order to create additionality. However, there is no flexibility on the part of the Government to ensure that some quality of life is bestowed on the residents of Pearse House and Markiewicz House. Those residents and their counterparts in all the other flat complexes have been forgotten.

I ask that the Government show some flexibility in the context of additionality. This matter should not just be viewed in the context of that tight site at Pearse House; it should also encompass the adjacent properties that Dublin City Council owns. If you go further afield in the area - but and not that much further - you will come across Verschoyle Court just up the road. That is a big site with huge potential for redevelopment. That is where you will get the additionality. The Government needs to be flexible and do the right thing for residents of Pearse House.