Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will decide on funding for an area (details supplied) as per proposals on preferred options for regeneration submitted by Dublin City Council. [15805/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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In response to the downturn in the housing market and the prevailing economic climate in 2008, Dublin City Council suspended its PPP programme, which included a proposal for the regeneration of St Teresa's Gardens. In the absence of PPP alternatives, and with the support of my Department, the City Council established a multi-disciplinary Special Housing Taskforce to examine all options with regard to the future regeneration of the six former PPP projects, which included St. Michael's Estate, O'Devaney Gardens, Dominick Street, St. Teresa's Gardens, Croke Villas, and Dolphin House and, in particular, to examine options to fast-track the relocation of households to facilitate future regeneration.

The Special Housing Taskforce initially prioritised three areas for regeneration – St Michael's Estate, O'Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street. Last autumn, my Department approved the City Council's first phase redevelopment at St Michael's Estate, with Exchequer funding of €5.8 million being provided for the social housing element. Outline proposals for O'Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street have also been agreed with my Department.

A preliminary report outlining possible options for the redevelopment of St Teresa's Gardens was received in my Department in March 2011 and my Department is currently working with the City Council to progress this and other regeneration proposals. In order to advance this project in accordance with the criteria laid down for regeneration funding, the City Council will be required to prepare a master plan that gives consideration to social and economic regeneration in addition to physical improvements. This holistic approach is fundamental in building and supporting sustainable, stable communities.

To date, my Department has provided funding of some €4.44 million to support the City Council's planning and relocation initiatives at St. Teresa's Gardens. Future funding will be made available within the context of City Council's overall regeneration programme and the Exchequer provision for regeneration.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to change the policy of local authorities whereby single fathers with joint custody are only considered for one-bed accommodation as in the case of a person (details supplied) who has joint custody of his teenage daughters and is being denied a two-bed unit. [15806/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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It is a matter for individual housing authorities to decide on the type and size of dwellings to be allocated to applicants on their waiting lists. This policy is decided in their Allocation Schemes, the making of which is a reserved function of the housing authority. I understand, however, that some authorities make provision for an extra bedroom space when making an allocation to single or separated parents with a child or children for whom they have joint custody.