Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
59. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will move to the fast-tracking of the regeneration of flat complexes such as Pearse House in south inner city Dublin in the interest of good public health and good community development given the extremely poor condition of several and the urgent need for upgrading these flats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22893/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe upkeep, refurbishment and regeneration of social housing, including flat complexes, is a matter, in the first instance, for the local authority.
Following on from reviews of the conditions of their older flat complexes and based on the need to modernise, bring the living conditions up to acceptable levels and as part of their climate action plans, Dublin City Council (DCC) is developing a long term strategy for the redevelopment and/or refurbishment of many of these complexes. DCC has identified 99 projects across 96 of these flat complexes for redevelopment and/or refurbishment to be progressed in the years 2021 to 2030.
Four of these projects are already on-site delivering 219 units in the next 18 months. 19 projects consisting of over 1,500 flats are already in the pre-construction process including Phase 1 of Pearse House.
My Department is considering proposals for funding under the various social housing programmes including Social Housing Invest Programme (SHIP) and Estate Regeneration/Remedial Works Programme and is supportive of DCC's ambitious plan, subject to funding availability and the procedures and requirements of the Public Spending Code.
DCC have also advised my Department that while the majority of these projects will entail the demolition and rebuilding of the flat complexes, approximately 14 projects, due to being protected structures, will be refurbished and in some cases will need amalgamations (i.e. two in one) due to unacceptable sizes of some homes. My Department and DCC are considering the most appropriate funding streams to enable these remedial works.
With regards to the redevelopment of Pearse House, my Department is currently reviewing a Stage 1 (Capital Appraisal) submission for 75 flats in the Pearse House flat complex. This proposal considers five options that includes amalgamation of some of the smaller units and the possibility of some additionality. The Stage 1 approval-in-principle for DCC to develop the detailed design and advance to Part 8 planning was issued last week and my Department will continue to work to support DCC on this important project.
