James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 429 together.

Within the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future, a commitment was specifically made to continue to accelerate social housing regeneration schemes in Dublin. My Department remains committed to supporting regeneration across towns and cities.

The prioritisation and project plans for the regeneration of estates and flat complexes in Dublin City and other local authorities are a matter for the individual Council.

In order to support local authorities in progressing such regeneration plans, my Department is making a number of funding channels available to Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies for such regeneration, including for the redevelopment of flat complexes. These include the:

• Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP),
• Affordable Housing Fund (AHF),
• Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF),
• Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) and,
• Regeneration (for remedial works)

For flat complexes that are proposed for refurbishment or a mix of refurbishment and redevelopment, my Department is making funding available through its Estate Regeneration funding channel.

In relation to the referenced projects, I can provide the following updates with respect to social housing regeneration funding applications for the following projects:

Basin Street

This project is included in Bundle 5 of the national Social Housing Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme.

After conducting a review of the proposed costs of Bundle 3 of the Social Housing PPP programme, my Department has decided not to proceed to contract award in the current procurement process for the Social Housing Bundle 3 PPP project. This is due to the overall costs of the Bundle 3 project, which are now considered too high.

In light of the costs on Bundle 3, I have asked my Department to initiate, with the help of the NDFA, a review of Bundles 4 -7 (including the regeneration of Basin View Flats) to determine the most appropriate procurement and delivery strategy in order to ensure the most efficient and effective use of the available public resources.

Oliver Bond House

There is currently no active funding application with my Department for the regeneration of Oliver Bond House. Approval in Principle was issued by my Department in March 2022 for the redevelopment of flats in Blocks L, M and N. A subsequent revised proposal was approved in November 2023.

Dublin City Council (DCC) has advised that work is progressing on the redevelopment of Blocks L, M and N which form part of the Phase 1 proposals.

Dolphin House

There is currently no active funding application with my Department for the regeneration of Dolphin House. Phase 1 of this project was completed in 2018 and delivered 100 homes.

Stage 1B has received Pre-Planning approval by my Department.

The Council has advised that in due course, further phases of the Dolphin house will be submitted for consideration. Once received, my Department will liaise with and review the proposals.

Emmet Buildings

There is currently no active funding application with my Department for the regeneration of Emmet Buildings. A number of improvement and upgrade works have been implemented at Emmet Buildings between 2020 and 2023.

School Street

There is currently no active funding application with my Department for the regeneration of School Street. My Department issued Approval in Principle for School Street in August 2021.

Cherry Orchard

Cherry Orchard Point will deliver circa 1100 homes in a partnership between the LDA and Dublin City Council. My Department has issued Approval to Proceed to Tender for Phase 1 of these works.

Labre Park

The Labre Park Regeneration is being delivered in partnership with Cluid Housing. The Council has advised that an updated funding submission will be issued in Q3 2025. Once received, my Department will liaise with and review the proposal submitted.

Lissadell Maisonettes

My Department has not received a funding application from DCC for regeneration of Lissadel Road Maisonettes. Upgrade and improvement works have been carried out at Lissadell Maisonettes.

In relation to Vicar Street, La Touche Court and Bernard Curtis House, the Council has advised my Department that these sites are not currently on their regeneration programme.