Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
739. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the National coordination committee for unfinished housing developments was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meeting that have been held and the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action being taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48580/12]
View answer747. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for resolving the issue of ghost estates. [48595/12]
View answer752. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which he will be publishing his survey on incomplete developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48715/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 739, 747 and 752 together.
The resolution of the various issues presented by unfinished developments is one of the major challenges faced by my Department and local authorities. The National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments (NCC), which I chair, is charged with overseeing the 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.
The NCC was established in June 2011 and has met on 9 occasions, and a Progress Report was published in July 2012. Under the Public Safety Initiative (PSI), my Department has made allocations totalling some €3.549 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 €2 million has been made for 2012 by my Department and to date, a total of €1.897 million has been drawn down by local authorities.
I anticipate that the progress made in tackling the challenges faced by residents of unfinished housing developments will be reflected in the 2012 National Housing Development Survey which was conducted over the summer months. This Survey report, which I expect to publish by the end of November, should provide a clear picture of the progress which has been made to date in tackling the issues surrounding unfinished housing developments.
