Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 442: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to roll out replacement of senior citizen complexes, specifically Ballygall Road East and Mellowes Court, Finglas, Dublin 11, which are bedsit only, in view of the fact that these do not meet international best practice for social housing. [18868/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has allocated some €78 million in 2011 to local authorities for the maintenance and improvement of their stock, and these improvement works programmes include remedial action necessary to convert bed-sits. It is a matter for Dublin City Council and other authorities, within their own improvement works allocation, to determine their improvements works programme including any remedial works to convert bed-sits.

My Department received a proposal under the Capital Assistance Scheme in October 2008 with regard to a proposed development at Ballygall Road East, for which the Department had a number of design and cost queries, and approval was not provided to proceed with this proposal at that time. In the current economic climate Dublin City Council decided that alternative means to upgrade the development be explored, and it is my understanding that Dublin City Council is currently in discussions with a voluntary housing body with a view to refurbishing the complex, and will submit details to my Department shortly.

I understand that proposals for a project at Mellowes Court are at a very early stage in Dublin City Council, and my Department has yet to receive any proposal for such works from the Council.