Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 June 2015
219. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will remove an estate (details supplied) from consideration under the Homeless Action Plan, in view of the regeneration project planned between Dublin City Council and the Gaelic Athletic Association. [24031/15]
View answerOn 4 December 2014, I hosted a special Summit on Homelessness to reaffirm the Government's commitment to end involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. A number of actions arising from the Summit were then formalised into an Action Plan to Address Homelessness which was noted by the Government at its meeting on 9 December 2014. Included among the measures in the Plan was a re-examination by Dublin City Council of its vacant properties scheduled for demolition with a view to refurbishing suitable units on a temporary basis to address the immediate need.
Subsequently, the City Council identified possible options, including the refurbishment of residential blocks at Croke Villas, and my Department confirmed funding approval for this purpose. The progression of this refurbishment proposal is a matter for Dublin City Council. However, I have made it clear to the Council that should this refurbishment proposal not proceed it is essential that they progress concrete, tangible solutions to alleviate the temporary accommodation needs of families currently accommodated on an emergency basis in hotels and B&B arrangements. Similarly, the progression of discussions with the GAA in relation to a road-widening project at Sackville Avenue and other development works in the environs of Croke Park is a matter for Dublin City Council and in which my Department has had no formal involvement.
