asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the great dissatisfaction among tenants of Ballymun housing estate; and if the Dublin Corporation still plan to continue to build multi-storey system built flats.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - System Built Flats.
30.
I am not so aware.
The Corporation are at present proposing the provision of two further eight-storey blocks at Ballymun, and a number of four- and eight-storey blocks at Keogh Square.
Did the Minister see the television programme on the Ballymun flats?
I did not.
Is he aware of the tremendous number seeking a transfer from Ballymun for the simple reason that they are very dissatisfied in Ballymun because of the lack of amenities there?
I am aware that there is a tremendous number applying for transfer from practically every Corporation scheme and I wish the Corporation would be more co-operative with these people.
Does the Minister not realise that his Department in the main are responsible for the Ballymun estate and has he not read the various reports in the newspapers in which people have expressed dissatisfaction with many facets of the Ballymun scheme? When the Minister says he is not so aware does he mean, in fact, that he is not in touch with the situation? Would the Minister make himself familiar with the situation out there?
I am familiar with the situation.
The Minister said he was not aware of the fact.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister represents Ballyfermot and he must know that many people from Ballyfermot are living in Ballymun and that many of these people are looking for transfers from Ballymun and the complaint that comes to me frequently from them is that they cannot stand the central heating, the floor heating. Is it a fact that individual families have no control over the central heating?
I am aware of the fact that the central heating gave some trouble initially but I think that trouble has been overcome and I am also aware of the fact that the Ballymun scheme is still a building site in the course of development.
Is the Minister aware that since the Ballymun scheme started there has been dissatisfaction—and this dissatisfaction still obtains—with the central heating? Is he also aware that in the Ballymun scheme there is great dissatisfaction because of the Minister's failure to fulfil his undertaking to provide amenities simultaneously with the building of the flats?
Amenities will be provided as soon as possible. This site is still in course of development and the most urgent need was to house the people. Apparently that is what is causing the Deputy so much annoyance. It is the fact that people have been housed which is causing the Labour Deputies annoyance.
Grow up.
Is the Minister aware of the fact that his predecessor undertook to provide amenities simultaneously with the flats?
His predecessor was very anxious to have his name plastered all over the building site.
(Interruptions.)
We cannot have a debate on this. There are upwards of 200 questions on the Order Paper.
The Minister should be aware of what is happening.
People down the country are saying they never knew how well treated people are in Dublin and they are envious of them.
Do not interrupt the Minister.
31.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is satisfied that the Ballymun flats meet all standards of safety; and if his attention has been drawn to reports of the decision in Britain to vacate some multi-storey flats.
32.
asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to reports of the Ronan Point disaster earlier this year indicating the possible danger of collapse of system high-level flat blocks subject to gale strain; whether a check on standards is employed on high-level schemes here; and whether there are any post-erection checks.
With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.
Immediately following the collapse of portion of a block of flats in London, contact was established between my Department and the various authorities concerned. Since then, that contact has been constantly maintained by the Department, the Dublin Corporation and the National Building Agency, Ltd. It was established that the building methods used in Ballymun, which are extensively used on the Continent, and are currently being used at the largest single housing development in London, did not present the same features to which the Ronan Point collapse were attributable. I was advised at that time that it was reasonable that no decision be taken here to cut off gas in the Ballymun flats.
Constant checks have been and are being maintained on the work in progress and work being planned at Ballymun. Representatives of my Department, Dublin Corporation and the National Building Agency have just completed further discussions on and investigations of the general safety aspect of this type of high-rise flat building and I am awaiting their report. If any action appears to me to be necessary arising from this report I will take appropriate steps. At this stage, I am satisfied that no cause for public anxiety exists in relation to the stability of the Ballymun flats, but I propose to make a public statement in the matter when I have received and considered the report of my technical advisers.
Is the Minister satisfied that there is no danger to the residents on account of the proximity of these flats to Dublin Airport?
Yes, I am satisfied there is no reasonable danger and there is no need to try to arouse public anxiety in this regard.
Nobody wants to arouse people's anxiety unnecessarily, but will the Minister take steps to ensure that this report which is being prepared by the group he has named will include their opinion on the effect of jumbo jets on the Ballymun housing estate?
Yes, I will.