Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2015
238. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he plans to spend €75,000 per unit to refurbish 70 temporary units of accommodation in O’Devaney Gardens in Dublin 7, when the O’Devaney Gardens site has been proposed over the past ten years for a major programme of regeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12382/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed refurbishment of 64 family units in two blocks at O'Deveney Gardens is one of a number of initiatives my Department has brought forward in order to address the need for emergency accommodation for homeless families in the Dublin region. The latest figures available to my Department indicate 371 homeless families in emergency accommodation in the Dublin region, many of which are accommodated in commercial hotels and B&Bs. The refurbishment cost-per-unit at O'Deveney Gardens is more economically advantageous compared to the accommodation costs for families in hotels and B&Bs, and the refurbished apartments would be a more suitable and stable environment for families with children pending the provision of longer-term accommodation. I understand the proposed refurbishment proposal will be considered by the elected members of Dublin City Council at their April meeting.
While this was a specific initiative to tackle emergency and short-term homelessness, this proposal has been specifically tailored to ensure that, while addressing the pressing need to address homelessness, the overall regeneration potential of this valuable site, which is capable of delivering a significant number of new social housing units, is not compromised. It is a matter for Dublin City Council to advance plans for the regeneration of the overall site.
