Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 July 2012
479 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to complete unfinished common spaces such as roads in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry which came under the ownership of the Minister for Finance following the striking off of a company (details supplied) from the Register of Companies, as the local authority is refusing to do so claiming it is private property. [35989/12]
View answerThe resolution of the various challenges presented by unfinished developments is one of the major challenges faced by my Department and local authorities. I am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments (NCC) to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. The NCC 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 regard to the public safety works required to improve the living conditions of existing residents on some unfinished estates.
In addition, under the Public Safety Initiative (PSI), my Department has made allocations totaling some €3.17 million to 21 local authorities from the funding made available to address immediate public safety issues in 2011. The types of works that have been approved to date under the PSI 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 €2m has been made for 2012 and my Department will be making further allocations as applications are received from local authorities and assessed. To date, a total of €1.726 million has been drawn down by local authorities. My Department has received no applications for funding in relation to the development at Crotta Woods, Kilflynn, Co. Kerry, and I have no direct remit in addressing the challenges presented by specific sites. Insofar as any properties may be vested or held in trust under Section 28(2) of the State Property Act 1954, such matters are more appropriate to the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform, and my Department has no function in this regard.
