Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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444. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government given questions raised regarding the National Asset Management Agency controlled Prospect Hill development at Leaders' Questions on 7 October 2015, if he will provide an outline of the extent of the problems which pose a health and safety threat in the whole of the complex, besides the 62 units already identified; the efforts by his Department to ascertain such details; and help in the resolution of the issue. [35776/15]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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445. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the serious concerns of many local officials of Dublin City Council and others, that the health and safety threats relating to the National Asset Management Agency controlled Prospect Hill extends well beyond the 62 units currently identified. [35777/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together.

Local authorities have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Fire Safety Act 1981, the Building Control Act 1990 and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which may be relevant in relation to fire safety arrangements in residential developments.

Neither I nor the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has any function in assessing, checking or testing compliance, or otherwise, of specific works or developments. Neither can I influence or interfere in the handling of specific cases by local authorities who are at all times independent in the use of their statutory powers.

Remediation of defects is a matter between the parties concerned, the current owners and the builder/developer, their agents and their insurers. If satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved through dialogue and negotiation the option of seeking civil legal remedy may be considered.

I understand that the receiver for the builder/developer concerned in this case is engaging with Dublin City Council in relation to compliance issues at the Prospect Hill development. The receiver has undertaken to prepare a schedule of works by the end of this month with a view to issuing a tender in November to secure a contractor to complete the necessary remedial works.

I understand that Dublin City Council will continue to engage with the relevant parties to effect a resolution of the problems at Prospect Hill and will continue to keep the residents informed of key developments. I would urge all concerned to cooperate fully with the local authority in carrying out its statutory functions.