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Unfinished Housing Developments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 June 2012

Thursday, 28 June 2012

Questions (2)

Brian Stanley

Question:

2Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the completion of ghost estates, including the number of estates with site resolution plans and the number of estates that have completed their site resolution plans. [31372/12]

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Oral answers (5 contributions)

I am chairing the national co-ordination committee on unfinished housing developments to oversee implementation of the report of the advisory group on unfinished housing developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. The committee includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, NAMA and the construction sector and real progress is being made with the public safety works required to improve the living conditions of existing residents on some unfinished estates. The committee is meeting on a regular basis.

Site resolution plans are a key tool in resolving issues associated with unfinished housing developments. Such plans enable developers to work with local authorities, financial institutions, NAMA and residents in determining how best to pursue resolution of problematic sites. The process also entails working with stakeholders in identifying the best long-term solution for developments in terms of their configuration, use of vacant buildings and ownership in a way that is in the best interests of residents. As part of the work of the national co-ordination committee, my Department initiated a pilot project for the resolution of sites using the site resolution plan process, and issued a working template in order to establish best practice in this area. I intend that the process, which is pivotal to the resolution of problem sites, will be used more extensively in the coming year. Ultimately, the initiation of the SRP process in respect of a particular development is a matter for the local authority concerned. However, progress by local authorities in ensuring that developers complete and resolve unfinished housing developments is continuing, as evidenced by regular reports to the national co-ordination committee. The committee intends to publish a report on overall progress, including the numbers of sites resolved, by the end of July.

Under the public safety initiative, my Department has made allocations totalling €3.21 million to 21 local authorities from the funding allocation made available to address immediate safety issues in 2011. The types of works that have been approved to date include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting and other works to secure sites. A provision of €2 million has been made for 2012 and my Department will be making further allocations as applications are received from local authorities and assessed. A total amount of €1.726 million has been drawn down by local authorities to date.

I would like to acknowledge that many of the ghost estates were a major problem and the Minister of State has secured their boundaries and the areas around them. This was very important as a result of the tragedy that we had. There were also other incidents. Having the site resolution plans is a very important step, but it is not enough at the moment. These plans need to be completed as a matter of urgency and brought to a positive conclusion. The list of ghost estates compiled by the Department must be updated when necessary. Having to wait for assessment and being put on the list just adds to the frustration of residents. Many of them are stuck in these unfinished estates, often left in terrible condition, with kids and others getting into the properties. It is just a disaster for residents, particularly those who took out mortgages and spent huge amounts of money. The residents deserve better. We need to compile an accurate list and try to complete the unfinished estates.

I have no disagreement with the Deputy on this issue. We have to continue to drive the process forward Thus far, 782 developers have given us site resolution plans and 136 of those have been completed, while others are in process. There are different kinds of works. Some are in NAMA, which will then have responsibility for the issue, while receivers are in charge of others and some estates have multiple developers. It is quite complex. The committee meets fairly regularly. We will publish a progress report very soon which will provide much detail on what has been achieved and what still has to be done. We have to keep a focus on this to ensure we resolve it for local residents.

I agree that the report of the advisory group is very important and we need to see that. Up to 2,000 NAMA properties were supposed to come on stream before Christmas, but we ended up with around 800 that were suitable for housing, for different reasons. I hope the other properties can be made available at some stage. That commitment was given before Christmas and there is a huge social housing waiting list. We need to find out why those houses did not become available.

Apart from our meetings with NAMA officials on the issue of unfinished estates, we are also meeting them about the 2,000 properties. They have also identified a further 1,000 properties, so we will pursue that issue to ensure that we get the promised amount of properties.

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