(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider setting up a commission to investigate the success or failure of the Ballymun flats complex, Dublin, as a suitable environment for urban living.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballymun (Dublin) Flats Complex.
3.
I do not propose to set up a commission on the lines suggested by the Deputy as to do so would serve no useful purpose.
The Ballymun scheme has been in existence now for over a decade. While some problems have arisen, as in most large local authority estates, I am satisfied that Dublin Corporation have been dealing with them within the limit of their resources in order to provide as suitable an environment as possible for people living in the estate.
(Dublin North-West): Is the Minister of State aware that in other countries in western Europe governments and local authorities are demolishing this type of local authority housing? Further, is he aware that there is a 30 per cent migration rate from high-rise flats each year compared with an average of 12.5 per cent for Dublin city? Does he know that of the 3,200 flat units in Ballymun some 600 are occupied by single parent families?
I am aware of what the Deputy says.
(Dublin North-West): Is the Minister aware of any reports of psychological and respiratory tract illnesses suffered by people as a result of living in high-rise flats in Ballymun?
I am aware, a Cheann Comhairle. I do not like naming blocks of flats and saying that there are problems. People live there and do not like the area in which they live to be labelled as a major social problem area. There are, obviously, social problems. The corporation have done quite a bit, as you are well aware. There is a swimming pool, a library and fairly vast open spaces there. To date they have not been proving to be a success. I do not believe that the solution to problems is to blow up good housing stock. The need is to identify social problems and to try to eliminate them as far as possible. If a block of flats is not considered suitable for families, let us consider the long-term possibilities of using them for alternative housing.
(Dublin North-West): Could the Minister state that the high rise towers at Ballymun are completely unsuitable for families with young children? Most of the families in these high rise flats comprise young children and they have undergone serious social and domestic problems.
I would not disagree with Deputy Barrett at all. I would be one of the people who would feel that high rise flats are not suitable for young families. If housing accommodation is the scarce commodity that it is, we have to give people with families an opportunity to take the accommodation that is available. Hopefully, within my Department we can make the necessary moneys available, long-term, to eradicate the serious social problems of the area, of which I am well aware.
To put the other side of the case, would the Minister of State agree that in the Ballymun flats area some of the finest community activities in this city are organised presently on a voluntary basis?
I would agree. That is why I refer to the corporation's involvement in this.
I am talking about voluntary groups.
I know, but the corporation have encouraged this type of activity through the Department of the Environment and community care. There are problems — there is no question about that — and they will not go away. They are something that has to be dealt with, not short-term, long-term. I believe that high rise towers are not suitable for families. I am saying that they should be used for alternative type housing.
Would the Minister of State agree that as these buildings will have to be used as housing accommodation for a long time to come, the right thing to do is, mainly through voluntary community activity, which fortunately is already well underway in the area, to improve the area as a residential place for those who live there and will he avail of every means available to him to ensure that voluntary bodies, particularly in this area, are encouraged and helped and assisted in every way possible?
Yes. I welcome the voluntary effort. Without voluntary effort any society will have trouble. Society owes the people here a great debt and they are doing wonderful work. I still think it requires support. The voluntary bodies require all the support we can give them. We should do that and we should have long-term proposals as to what we should do to ensure that these flats remain good habitable dwellings.
(Dublin North-West): In view of the widespread concern, in view of the fact that high rise accommodation is not suitable for young children and in view of the figures mentioned here, would the Minister of State consider the establishment of a commission of inquiry within his Department to investigate the degree to which these high rise flats are not suitable for young children?
I do not think we require to set up a commission. It seems to me that when we want to put something on the long finger we talk about setting up a commission. We are aware of the problems. The corporation are aware of the problems. We have full knowledge. I will now ask the corporation to give me a report on the particular problems and I will let the Deputy know.
Question No. 4.
Bhí ceist agam ar an rud sin.
Sorry, Deputy, we cannot have a debate.
The question was, would the Minister agree——
Sorry. We are on Question No. 4 now.