Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the future development of the ghost housing estates in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32454/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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have established and am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments , together with the Government's response to the recommendations. To date, my Department has made allocations totalling some €2.23 million to nineteen local authorities from the €5 million funding allocation made available to address immediate safety issues. The types of works that have been approved to date include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting, and other works to secure sites. My Department will be making further allocations as applications are received from local authorities and assessed. Planning authorities are also making progress in securing the co-operation of developers, financial institutions and/or bond holders, thereby obviating the need to use Exchequer resources to fund such work.

Developers and owners of unfinished housing developments (or their receivers, where appointed) have the primary legal obligation in addressing outstanding problems associated with these developments. Any public funds expended under this provision should ultimately be recouped from the developer/receiver. Estates which fall under the direct control of NAMA, or receivers appointed by NAMA, are being managed by them and as a consequence do not fall within this scheme.

The following table sets out details of the funding sought by Longford County Council for public safety measures to be undertaken on Category 4 developments and funding which has been approved by my Department.