Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2005
269 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if more youth community workers will be provided in Dundalk RAPID housing estates to tackle anti-social behaviour as requested by a community council (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36186/05]
View answer
My Department does not have specific information on the proposal referred to. My Department provides funding under the housing management initiatives grant scheme to fund innovative and practical pilot projects designed to improve housing management performance by local authorities and other bodies with housing management functions. A number of projects in County Louth were approved earlier this year. These include the appointment of a tenant liaison officer and an investigations officer to carry out work in Dundalk and Drogheda as well as in the county area. I also approved a project submitted by Dundalk Town Council to formalise housing management activity in respect of a number of housing groups in the Toberona area.
Dundalk Town Council is undertaking regeneration projects to two large local authority estates in the town. Consultants have been appointed for the project at Cox's Demesne while consultants are due to be appointed shortly for the Muirheavnamore estate. A steering group has been established to oversee the development of the proposals for the regeneration.
My Department recently agreed to a contribution of €300,000 towards the provision of child care facilities at Muirheavnamore. Planning permission is currently being sought for the facility with construction expected to commence before the end of the year.
272 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the proposed scheme for sale of local authority flats has not been approved; if he has received representations from persons within a local authority not to proceed with this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36216/05]
View answer273 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the sale of local authority flats has not been approved due to the possibility of developing the flats in a public private partnership deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36217/05]
View answer
I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.
I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 1326 and 1389 of 28 September 2005 and to Question No. 551 of 4 October 2005. The position remains unchanged. I have not received any representations as referred to in the question nor is consideration of this matter influenced by any concern relating to public private partnerships.
