Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 February 2013
252. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list in tabular form the unfinished housing developments in County Meath; his plans to progress these developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7936/13]
View answer254. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the housing estates taken in hand by Meath County Council in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7938/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 254 together.
The National Housing Development Survey 2012 identified a total of 84 unfinished housing developments in the Meath area, of which some 38 were substantially complete. Further details can be found in the Survey, which is available on my Department’s website, www.environ.ie
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. Under the Public Safety Initiative (PSI), my Department has made allocations totalling some €3.88 million to 21 local authorities from the funding made available to address immediate public safety issues. 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. To date my Department has received no funding applications from Meath County Council in this regard.
Queries regarding the taking in charge and provision of services in individual estates should be addressed directly to the relevant local authority. My Department does not collect the information sought.
