Like the 20,000 of my constituents who live in the Ballymun area I am quickly running out of patience at what seems to be endless delays in deciding the future of the Ballymun estate. There are 2,800 flats in Ballymun, all of which are over 30 years old. They comprise 15, eight and four storey blocks. All the flats have reached the end of their useful lives. The roofs are in poor condition and several flats on the top storeys have had to be de-tenanted because of their poor condition. Some of the flats on the next floor have had to be vacated for the same reason. Water is running down the walls and the panels on the fronts of the buildings are cracked. Water has ingressed into many flats on all floors while the lifts are continuously out of use. All services are problematic and there is no security in the complex. The open and high rise nature of the complex renders it impossible to manage properly or to secure in an acceptable way by today's standards.
Many of the tenants living in Ballymun could be said to be living in third world conditions. I regularly marvel at the success people in Ballymun make of their lives. They are up against the odds and it is incredible that so many manage to survive and remain sane in such appalling physical conditions.
The Minister and Minister of State have taken the trouble to visit Ballymun to view the poor condition of the flats. Anybody who has visited the flats cannot deny that Ballymun is an urgent project that needs Government attention. A pilot refurbishment was carried out on part of the estate. It was considered to be reasonably successful but, at this point, people are of the view that refurbishment is not an option. The scale of the structural and social problems in the estate is such that only demolition and the building of new housing and low rise flats is an option.
Dublin Corporation has researched this option thoroughly and has consulted widely by seeking the views of all residents. The overwhelming view is that it should proceed with the demolition programme. Much of the ground work in that regard has been carried out by Dublin Corporation and the community fully supports its proposals. In addition, the other agencies which work in the area are enthusiastic about getting a comprehensive programme for Ballymun under way. We are not talking about just structural change; we are seeking the type of high quality services that are required in an area such as Ballymun which the people have been denied for so long and to which they are entitled.
Dublin Corporation and the other agencies involved are poised to commence development. Lack of Government decision is holding back the development. It is easy to consider this issue in academic or theoretical terms, but insufficient consideration is being given to the people who are living in the horrendous conditions of Ballymun and who have been left in limbo for the last five years while nothing has happened in terms of improving their housing conditions. Morale in the estate is low. Governments have neglected the area for many years and there do not appear to be grounds for hope or for expecting better treatment in the system. That has a devastating effect on the morale of a community.
I ask the Government to make an urgent decision on the future of Ballymun. The proposals from Dublin Corporation have been with the Government for several months. They are comprehensive and well researched and they are supported by public representatives in the area. Doing nothing is not an option. Sooner or later a crisis will arise which will pose a serious threat to people's lives. That could happen within the next year or so because of the poor condition of the flats. A decision from the Government is urgently required. It should give the proposal the goahead. The people of Ballymun deserve nothing less. Virtually no costs will be incurred this year because, even if the Government approved the proposals today, it would be two years before anybody would get a key to a new home.
I implore the Minister of State to use all her influence to ensure an early decision is made by the Government on this most important matter.