asked the Minister for the Environment the special proposals which have been submitted to his Department by Dublin Corporation for the upgrading of specific estates or flat schemes in the city; when he proposes to provide the capital funding for these; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - House and Flat Schemes.
16.
Dublin Corporation have applied for assistance under the remedial work scheme in respect of their housing estates at Darndale and Cherry Orchard. Under the terms of that scheme, capital, subsidisable at a rate not exceeding 80 per cent, is made available to authorities in respect of works involved. Approval in principle to the corporation's proposals for Cherry Orchard issued on 14 August 1985, subject to the submission of the usual technical documentation, which is awaited. Approval in principle to the Darndale proposal issued on 21 May 1986 and an estimate for a pilot project involving 81 houses was submitted to my Department on 20 November 1986, which is under examination. I will give a decision in the matter shortly.
Is there any upper limit on the money which is available under this scheme? There is 80 per cent of the cost, but is there an upper limit beyond which the Department are not prepared to go for any scheme?
The short answer is "no" but the Deputy and the House will appreciate that a stage could come at which the proposal was so expensive that on a cost-effective basis other remedies might have to be considered. So far that question has not arisen. To some extent the primary purpose of the introduction of pilot schemes in relation to these estates which require remedial treatment generally is to get an accurate assessment of the cost levels and as a result of that then to make a decision as to the best way of tackling the problem.
I am calling the next question.
I understood the submission made in relation to Fatima Mansions was £1.6 million. Will the Minister indicate if a submission was made and when a decision is likely to be made on it?
We will now move to priority questions.
Will the Chair allow the Minister to answer that final short question?
There is no such thing as a short question here.
In relation to an earlier question I mentioned a submission which had been received from the corporation some weeks ago and in that they have referred to the general question of the refurbishing of Fatima Mansions where window replacement has already started. The corporation indicated they will be looking for a capital allocation for that work. I have arranged for a meeting to take place with corporation officials in order to discuss that matter and the more general question of the refurbishment of the inner city flats dealt with in reply to an earlier question.
We will now move to questions nominated for priority. Question No. 32.