Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the use of money recently designated by his Department for works at an estate (details supplied) in County Longford and the progress that has been made at the site on resolving the serious issues putting residents at risk. [5558/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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An explosion occurred within a private house, one of a terrace of six houses, in this development in March 2012. Subsequently, Longford County Council established an expert steering group and appointed a firm of consulting engineers to investigate the cause of the explosion. A second explosion occurred in this development at the beginning of October 2012. The specific findings of the investigation carried out on behalf of the Council have been made available to residents of the terrace in Gleann Riada, as well as general advice to other residents in the estate. Longford County Council has also established a steering group to address the range of issues faced by the occupants of the Gleann Riada development and is liaising with the other State authorities involved, including the Health and Safety Authority.

My Department initially approved funding totalling €91,753.40 for Gleann Riada in August 2012 to cover the cost of addressing immediate public safety concerns. In November I approved further funding of €200,000 taking account of additional information which had been provided by Longford County Council in regard to public safety issues within the development. A comprehensive underground CCTV survey has been carried out on the estate, supported by funding provided under the public safety initiative. This identified the need for repair work on the foul and storm networks. Longford County Council will install or improve vents, manholes and gullies to ensure the major issues which led to the explosion are alleviated. Issues regarding public lighting will also be addressed, while such necessary works as are required will be carried out on the internal road network.