Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 May 1994

Vol. 442 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Designation of Dublin 8 Areas.

Mr. J. Mitchell:

I expess my great appreciation to the Chair for allowing this debate on a very important issue. The Minister, like the Chair, often travels through the village of Inchicore on his way to and from Tipperary, and I invite him to stop there one day to meet me and the other public representatives and local organisations and see for himself the severe decay in the streets that radiates from the area of the Black Lion and surrounding streets.

This debate is timely. Inchicore village is the core of Inchicore, if the Minister will pardon the pun. It is in a very dilapidated condition and is getting worse and this is destroying any sense of pride in the community. The Government will be making decisions relating to designated areas under the Urban Renewal Act some time in the next two months. I make a special plea to the Minister to look at some of the villages of Dublin. There are people who would argue that because this Minister for the Environment is from the country he is not sympathetic to the problems of Dublin. I do not accept that but it is up to the Minister to show that he understands the concerns of communities in Dublin who cannot feel proud of their area because of their dilapidated condition, which is particularly acute in the village of Inchicore. To some extent this problem is the result of compulsory purchase orders from Dublin Corporation hanging over the areas for years and then being lifted, having caused urban blight for years. That is true of one section of Emmet Road between Turvey Avenue and St. Michael's Church on the side opposite. It is also true of that part of James's Street opposite St. James's Hospital.

More than two years ago, in response to a motion which I moved Dublin Corporation passed a proposal for a development plan for Inchicore. Another motion, in the name of Alderman Michael Conaghan, which dealt with conservation in the Inchicore area, was passed by the corporation sometime later. There are many active organisations in the area, including the Inchicore and Kilmainham Development Group and the Inchicore Business Association, who are trying to mobilise opinion and decision-makers in favour of reviving Inchicore. That will happen if the Minister gets the Government to agree to the designation of the village of Inchicore under the proposed adjustments.

The decision by the Minister to provide funds for the refurbishment of St. Michael's estate was greatly appreciated. The funding was long overdue and I thank the Minister for providing it. Richmond Park was restored recently with the help of lottery funds and the Oblate's church and St. Michael's church in Inchicore have also been restored recently.

We need this designation if Inchicore is to have any hope of restoring its pride, vitality and elegance. It is an extremely historic area with Kilmainham Jail and the Royal Hospital at one end and a famous grotto at the other. The Inchicore Works is also an historic site. The Goldenbridge cemetery, in which the late W. T. Cosgrave is buried, is also located in the area and the corporation have planned a linear park along the River Camac. If the Minister agrees to this designation he can proudly say he was the Minister who helped restore elegance and vitality to Inchicore. It will be greatly appreciated.

Mr. M. Smith:

I am glad Deputy Mitchell has confidence in the Minister for the Environment, even if he comes from Tipperary. He correctly said that it has been suggested that because I come from Tipperary I might not have a great interest in Dublin. Dublin is my capital city. Large scale developments have taken place along the quays, in the Temple Bar area, around the docks, in Gardiner Street and, I hope, in Sheriff Street and in villages and towns around the city which should have an opportunity to develop their personalities within the city complex. In initiating those schemes I hope I have demonstrated that one does not have to come from Dublin to be interested in the development of this city.

I am sure Deputy Mitchell is familiar with the proposition made by the Inchicore and Kilmainham Development Project, the Inchicore and District Business Association, the Bulfin Estate Residents' Association and the submissions regarding the Bow Lane-James's Street area. The new urban renewal scheme is due to commence on 1 August. This is the result of a major review of the present scheme and an examination of the future role of urban renewal policy. Future policy on urban renewal will focus more on remedial works and measures to conserve our existing urban infrastructure. More emphasis will be placed on residential developments in our inner core areas and on greater use of vacant upper floors.

The areas to be designated under the new scheme will be selected having regard to factors such as extent of urban decay — need for renewal — location and general character of the area, potential for redevelopment, the need to promote residential accommodation and the historical or architectural significance of the area.

In Dublin, consultations have taken place with Dublin Corporation and reports, letters and submissions made in regard to designation, including those for the Inchicore and Bow Lane areas, are being considered before an announcement is made. We are at an advanced stage in the examination of these projects but such has been the interest in designation and urban renewal generally — the Deputy will appreciate that we included a number of towns around the country — that the task is greater than we originally anticipated. Nevertheless, it should not take much longer than the period to which the Deputy referred to reach decisions.

I have also included in the National Development Plan provision for special grants for urban city and village renewal because there are many facial approaches — in some respects psychological — which can be adopted to give areas a lift in terms of development. We want to help communities in that regard. I am anxious that the Government should support community development where the community demonstrates its capacity and strength to do things for itself. I will give sympathetic consideration to the Deputy's proposal in the context of other constraints and I look forward to decisions being made as soon as possible.

Mr. J. Mitchell:

Will the Minister come for a pint with me in the Black Lion or Coffeys to see the position for himself?

The Dáil adjourned at 9.30 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 5 May 1994.