Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide emergency funds to Dublin City Council to ensure that the remedial works needed at the Priory Hall apartment complex take place straight away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33902/11]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to help the Priory Hall residents, Dublin, who need to be properly housed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33903/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.

Following an application by Dublin City Council, the High Court ordered that the unsafe development at Priory Hall be evacuated on 20 October 2011 and that the developer carry out an agreed schedule of necessary remedial works to be reviewed by the Court on a weekly basis. In response to a report from Dublin City Council stating that the works were below acceptable standards, the High Court ordered the developer to cease work on the site on 4 November 2011. A motion by Dublin City Council to have an alternative contractor appointed by the Court was refused. The developer has now vacated the site which has been secured by Dublin City Council at its own expense. The case will again come before the High Court on, 11 November 2011. Dublin City Council in bringing proceedings against the developer is fulfilling its statutory function as fire authority under the Fire Services Act 1981.

My Department is being been kept informed by Dublin City Council of developments with regard to the resolution of issues at Priory Hall, including in respect of Court proceedings. My Department has assisted the Council, in consultation with NAMA, in securing alternative housing for many of the residents. The overriding priority is to ensure the optimum outcome for the households concerned and to facilitate as early as possible a return to their homes. In this respect it will be necessary to ensure that these homes are made fit for purpose and that the costs of so doing fall where they should. I have asked Dublin City Council to do all within its powers to achieve this objective and have asked my Department to continue to liaise closely with Dublin City Council in this regard.

The legal proceedings are continuing and it would be entirely inappropriate to anticipate their conclusion.