Written answers

Tuesday, 3 May 2011

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Local Authority Housing

9:00 pm

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Ombudsman's investigation into the South Dublin County Council Part 8 process with regard to Taylor's Lane has not been concluded, and that he has given written assurances on numerous occasions that no decision to expend scarce financial resources will be spent until the Ombudsman has concluded her investigation and her report is taken into account; if he will give an assurance that he will put a stay on any financial transaction by his Department pertaining to this SDCC Part 8 process pending the outcome of the Ombudsman's investigation; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that no contract has been signed and therefore no financial liability exists; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that SDCC withheld pertinent statutory information from his Department when it applied for financial support; if he will release all correspondence and a record of all contact between SDCC and his Department and his ministerial predecessor; if he will meet with an association of residents (details supplied) who risk losing their conditioned open space; if he will explain to them the reason they might lose their open space because public servants are not doing their job, not carrying out financial oversight, not keeping up with the challenging economic times and not taking into account that in the SDCC area there is a glut of empty and incomplete houses, that the statutory processes no longer apply and that all this is to be funded by the IMF-ECB, for which residents such as they will have to pay. [9065/11]

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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The project referred to is a small infill development of 9 social units, intended to address issues of antisocial behaviour and an identified housing need in this area. The Council submitted a tender recommendation report in December 2010 and my Department issued approval to accept the recommended tender in March 2011 with a budget cost of €1.2m. The Council's proposal stated that the site concerned was never designated as open space. My Department visited the site in June 2010 and considered it to be a suitable location for social housing in accordance with Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities guidelines. The Council also confirmed to my Department that the proposed development complied with planning requirements and had obtained Part VIII approval under the Planning Acts.

The written record referred to in the Question is an e-mail from my Department in May 2008, which expressed the view of my Department at the time that it would be prudent to await the outcome of the Ombudsman's investigation into South Dublin County Council before proceeding. It is understood that while the status of the investigation is ongoing, the Council is satisfied that there is no objection on the part of the Ombudsman's Office to the signing of contracts to commence work on this project. Given the passage of time it is considered reasonable that the proposed project should be assessed and processed in the normal manner.

In April 2009, my Department responded to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request and released all correspondence and records of all contacts between my Department and South Dublin County Council.

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding regeneration of an area (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9089/11]

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 123 of 20 April 2011, which set out the position in this matter.

Photo of Eamonn MaloneyEamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 384: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the commencement order has been signed in respect of the local authority tenant purchase scheme for apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9112/11]

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the incremental purchase scheme and the sale of houses and apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9193/11]

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 408: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a ministerial order to allow the sale of local authority flats as provided for in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9434/11]

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 384, 391 and 408 together.

I refer to the replies to Questions No. 272 of 12 April 2011 and No. 201 of 19 April 2011, which set out the position in this matter.

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