Vol. 475 No. 4
10 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the distribution of the special £3 million estate improvement programme as recommended in the first report of the ministerial task force on measures to reduce the demand for drugs; and if he will list and explain the criteria used. [4974/97]
I have made the following allocations under the estate improvement programme: Dublin Corporation, £1.25 million; Dublin South County Council, £750,000 and Fingal County Council, £500,000. Proposals from Cork and Limerick Corporations are being examined in my Department and I hope to make allocations to these authorities as soon as possible.
The purpose of the new programme is to assist local authorities in tackling environmental and related problems in severely run-down local authority housing estates and flat complexes in certain disadvantaged urban areas.
The allocations have been made on the basis of the identification by the authorities concerned of the estates to be improved and the nature of the works to be done. Works eligible for funding under the programme include: measures to upgrade the visual impact of estates, including environmental works leading to a more positive image of an estate; redefinition of site boundaries where appropriate; treatment of common areas to mitigate potential for anti-social activities; creation of defensible space around dwellings; redesign matters such as making some roads culs-de-sac and closing off back lanes which serve no useful function, in order to frustrate criminal activity; measures to establish improved management arrangements in housing estates; necessary works to vacant dwellings which have been vandalised to bring them back quickly into stock for letting; the engagement of consultants to assist local authorities in the formulation of projects; and other measures seen as necessary to improve living conditions for residents and to enhance safety.
Planning and progressing projects under the programme are the responsibility of the local authorities. However, in formulating their projects, authorities must adopt an integrated approach which actively involves the community in the projects. Authorities are also required to set clear objectives for projects and to establish relevant baseline data on the areas concerned to allow objective assessment of the impact of the programme.
I must advise the Minister of State of the great disappointment in Dublin Corporation at what it sees as its failure to get its proper share. The ministerial task force on the drugs issue nominated the 11 worst areas in the country, seven of which were in the Dublin Corporation area with two in South County Dublin, one in Cork and one in Fingal. On a proportional basis the corporation could have expected to get £1.9 million. How can the Minister of State explain the very low sum received by the corporation? There has been a perception for years by Dublin public representatives, not just during the term of this Government, of an anti-Dublin bias in the Department of the Environment. Can we put this allocation down to that?
Tell that to the group water schemes.
I assure the Deputy that this scheme has generally been warmly welcomed by Members of this House and community groups. I remind him that during the recent Second Stage debate on the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1996, Members on both sides welcomed the allocation of £3 million for the estate improvement scheme, which is £3 million more than was ever allocated when Fianna Fáil was in power. The lion's share of the allocation, £2.5 million of the £3 million, has gone to the greater Dublin area. It is a difficult task to ensure the allocation is fairly divided and I am happy I have achieved that. However, that is not to say we cannot keep working to ensure we continue to make progress.
I remind the Deputy that 7,000 corporation houses were transferred to the county council areas, the bulk of which went to South Dublin County Council. Those houses suffered a certain amount of neglect by Dublin Corporation over the years. Difficulties and major social problems were experienced in parts of the greater Dublin area as well as in the corporation area. I remind the Deputy that this allocation has never been made before and has been warmly welcomed by communities, particularly in the flats complexes in the Dublin Corporation area which, for the first time, can see real commitment in terms of funding to address the serious problems in those areas. I am sure the Deputy is not too mean spirited to ignore that fact.
Let us not forget the time factor in dealing with priority questions. We should progress with brevity.
It goes without saying that we all welcome the £3 million. However, Dublin Corporation feels hard done by because, although it contains seven of the 11 worst areas identified by the ministerial task force, we did not get our fair share. Yes, it is £3 million which was never given before. It is to be given over two years, unfortunately. Many people would say that the drugs problem is much worse now than before. There is a perception that the funding was allocated not on the basis of need but on the basis of where members of the Minister of State's party are hopeful candidates for election. Perhaps she might like to defuse that perception. I accept that the money is badly needed.
I asked for brevity.
Is there any way to find some extra money to add to this fund? Would she consider an application from the local authorities to divert some of their housing construction programme into that area? It is a huge problem. An allocation of £3 million over two years is welcome but it is only scratching the surface. Can the Minister of State think of an innovative way to divert some more money to that fund?
I cannot remain unduly long on any one question.
I think the Deputy is floundering. The allocation made to Dublin Corporation is by far the largest in this programme.
Not for seven out of 11 areas.
I have already stated I will ensure we can continue to make progress, as far as is possible. I reject the Deputy's allegation which I have already had to refute; I am surprised he repeated it. I point out to him that Dublin Corporation——
I referred to outside perceptions.
——welcomes this allocation. The Deputy has had his say and he should let me have mine. The city manager has put it on the record that he is pleased to have this allocation. The Deputy also represents an area of great disadvantage and deprivation, which does not stop me from ensuring we concentrate on those areas. People elect whom they wish but the deprivation, disadvantage and drugs crisis continue. This is the first Government to seriously address this issue and allocate resources to it, despite the demands we had five minutes ago to make cutbacks.
