Written answers

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Unfinished Housing Developments

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns of residents in private housing estates which are not yet taken in charge but where the developer is inactive and public lighting within the estate is not being maintained causing health and safety concerns as estates are in darkness; the provisions made in these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4731/13]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I 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. The Committee includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, NAMA and the construction sector. Real progress is being made with regard to the public safety works required to improve the living conditions of existing residents on some unfinished estates and the Committee is meeting on a regular basis to oversee this effort.

My Department launched the Public Safety Initiative in March 2011, which provided funding to address immediate public safety issues. The types of works that have been approved to date under the PSI include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting and other works to secure sites. Under the PSI, my Department has made allocations totalling some €3.879 million to 21 local authorities from the funding made available and to date a total of €2.515 million has been drawn down by local authorities. The Public Safety Initiative provides funding only in instances where a developer has abandoned the development. However, in circumstances where the developer is merely inactive, the responsibility for the maintenance and resolution of issues surrounding the development are matters which need to be addressed between the developer and the relevant stakeholders, and my Department has no remit in this regard.

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