Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Dublin City Council are examining the programme for older flat complexes with the aim of developing a long term strategy for their redevelopment, regeneration and/or refurbishment.

Dolphin House, built in 1957, is the Council’s largest remaining public housing flat complex.

DCC, in consultation with the Dolphin House Regeneration Board, are progressing its regeneration.

My Department is working with the Council to progress funding proposals for this important project.

The first phase delivered 100 social housing units, with an additional 28 planned for this initial phase.

Preparations for Phase 2 and 3 are underway including demolition, design, tender preparation and masterplan elaboration.

DCC have informed my Department that there has been a number of delays in advancing the programme. Considerable time was invested in consultation regarding the design of Phase 1b. Over a two year period, a number of iterations and re-designs were required to ensure the proposal matched local residents’ expectations and requirements.

There was an almost three year delay in advancing the demolition of blocks in Phase 2 due to a series of issues in successfully tendering for demolition contractors.

As Phase 2 & 3 consists of more than 500 new homes DCC is required to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) and progress the remainder of the scheme via Part 10 Planning with An Bord Pleanála.

With recent changes to the Public Spending Code and the availability of Section 179A planning route my Department believe that the proposed timelines for getting on-site for Phase 1B, 2 and 3 can be improved upon.