Unacceptable delays to three major regeneration projects in the Dublin south city area are affecting remaining residents’ quality of life and leading to the creation of disjointed communities, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins.
Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South-Central, said:
“The regeneration of St Teresa’s Gardens, Dolphin House and Emmet Road was supposed to be transformative for those living in the flat complexes and surrounding areas.
“However, despite some of these projects commencing as far back as 2001, progress has moved at a snail’s pace, resulting in the loss of almost 600 council properties and the non-delivery of nearly 1,700 public homes. This has seen numbers on the local housing list increase to 2,400.
“Residents of Oliver Bond flats are also deeply frustrated that regeneration work at their complex is not expected to start until 2027.
“While it is scandalous that social homes should be lost in the middle of the country’s worst ever housing crisis, delays to the regeneration projects also have serious implications for residents still living in the flat complexes, and for the wider Dubin 8 community.
“Homes have been allowed to fall into disrepair, with residents regularly contacting me about problems such as mould and faults. There are simply not enough maintenance staff available to carry out repairs in a timely manner, which is deeply unfair on those who are paying their rent.
“As units become vacant in these flat complexes, this is leading to a concerning rise in anti-social activity and the sites becoming local eyesores.
“People moving out of their flats for long periods to make way for regeneration is also creating disjointed communities. Given the painfully slow rate of progress, many residents are deciding not to move back to the areas they grew up in, which damages the social fabric of these historic communities.
“With buy-in from local communities essential to the success of regeneration projects, these delays will undermine confidence in future schemes.
“It should not take almost a quarter of a century to deliver these homes. The incoming government must act on the Housing Commission’s proposal to establish a Housing Oversight Delivery Executive and remove any barriers to progressing these vital regeneration projects.”
January 15, 2025