Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 1980

Vol. 318 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Uncompleted Housing Estates.

15.

Mr. Bruton

andMr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for the Environment the date on which he requested information from each local authority on the extent of the problem of uncompleted housing estates in their area, the reason for the delay in sending this request in view of the commitment in the matter in the Government 1979 Local Election Manifesto, the local authorities which have replied to his request and those outstanding, and the action he has taken on each of the replies received to date.

16.

Mr. Molloy

asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends making £3 million available to local authorities to enable them to complete unfinished estates and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. Fahey

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.

A circular letter was sent to each city and county manager on 19 November 1979 in connection with the problems of unfinished housing estates. As consultations were necessary before this circular was prepared I could not accept that any delay occurred in issuing it. The circular requested information on the extent of the problem in each area, the type of works outstanding and the likely cost of remedial action which would be necessary to enable the authorities to take the estates in charge. The circular also reminded the authorities of their powers and duties in relation to planning control and urged that full use be made of the provisions of the Planning Acts to ensure that developers complete their estates to a satisfactory standard.

Reports on the extent of the problem have now been received from the majority of the authorities. Replies are still outstanding in respect of eight areas. The reports are being examined in my Department at present and when this examination is complete I hope to devise a scheme to enable planning authorities to deal with estates where all efforts have failed to achieve their completion. However, as I indicated in the Dáil on 4 December 1979 in reply to a previous question, it is not my intention to facilitate developers to avoid their obligations to comply with the terms of planning permissions.

Mr. Bruton

Will the money be available for this purpose during 1980?

Mr. Fahey

Yes, the money will be available as promised. We promised to set aside £3 million for this very necessary work and that promise will be kept.

Mr. Bruton

Do you expect that the £3 million will actually be allocated to and used by local authorities during 1980?

Mr. Fahey

The authorities must look for it first and there are many estates involved. As I said, the developers will have to request the local authorities to take over such estates. I also said this is something that will not apply right across the board but only in exceptional circumstances where all other approaches have failed to get developers to carry out their commitments.

Mr. Bruton

Would the Minister give an assurance that he will make every effort to ensure that the money is used and that he will not sit on it and make it difficult for all involved to comply with the requirements. Will he state the eight local authorities who have not so far replied to his circular?

Mr. Fahey

I shall give the Deputy that information if I have it. Meantime, I can give an assurance that I will make every effort to ensure that money is spent. Replies are still outstanding in respect of counties Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan, Offaly, Wexford, and Cork and Limerick cities.

Mr. Donnellan

Is the Minister aware of the grave dissatisfaction that exists in respect of private developers due to the fact that they leave housing estates unfinished and because it takes a long time for a local authority to get an order against them?

An Ceann Comhairle

The question does not permit a full discussion on housing.

Mr. Fahey

It is with private developers we are dealing as regards housing estates. I have no intention of taking over their responsibilities but we know that problems arise in cases of bankruptcy, debts and so on and other arguments can arise. It is in such cases that we want to step in to assist local authorities with such problems.

Mr. Donnellan

I am not referring to local authority houses; I am talking about private developers who fail——

Mr. Killilea

The Deputy was not listening.

Mr. Donnellan

Indeed, I am.

Mr. Fahey

It is with that type of situation we are dealing, where the private developer for one reason or another reneges on his responsibilities. The way is open to him to ask the local authority to take over the housing estate and it is up to the local authorities to decide whether they wish to do so, whether it has reached the required standard. I am not saying that if other problems have arisen that cannot be resolved as regards a private housing estate, the local authority can take it over in an unfinished state—perhaps because of bankruptcy or other such problems—and we then make money available to the local authority to deal with the very type of problems the Deputy mentioned.

Mr. Donnellan

What action are you taking against the private developer?

Mr. McMahon

How would the Minister deal with estates where there is no request to the local authority to take them in charge?

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a separate question.

Mr. Fahey

It is a matter for the local authority and for the developer concerned. He would have to approach the local authority and, as the Deputy is aware, it is only when the developer makes such an approach that the local authority would be in a position to go in and inspect the estate. Otherwise, it is a private estate and they would not be in a position to do so.

Mr. McMahon

Of course, and that is where the difficulty is. When replies come in from all local authorities, would the Minister consider the matter of estates where there is no request to have them taken in charge? There are not many but there are some such estates in County Dublin that have been built for 16 or 18 years. No request to take them in charge has been made to the local authority and they are unable to act.

Mr. Fahey

I am well aware of all the difficulties and problems involved and I assure Deputies that I will do everything possible to resolve them. We have asked local authorities to ensure that sufficient bonds are sought in the first instance to make sure that the estate can be properly completed and also to tie up the completion in the granting of planning permission. I have asked local authorities to tighten up these aspects of the matter.

Mr. McMahon

That is fine for future development but I am talking of past developments, 16 to 20 years back. I understand that in the Dublin area the percentage is up to 25 or 30 per cent of estates not yet taken in charge and with no request to have them taken in charge.

Mr. Fahey

I fear there is nothing I can do in that respect until the request goes to the local authority.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy might put down a separate question on that matter.