58 idle Finglas apartments still idle after 16 years of nothing

A North Dublin TD has expressed frustration at the length of time it is taking Dublin City Council to refurbish 58 idle apartments in south Finglas and circulate them into the social housing stock.

Sinn Fein TD Dessie Ellis says that there is “no urgency, no drive” to complete the works on the apartments in Prospect Hill, located between Tolka Valley Road and Finglas Road.

The apartments, which were built in 2005 by McCabe Builders Limited are part of a larger 540-unit complex.

However, works on the 58 idle dwellings were never completed due to financial shortcomings and a receiver was appointed to manage the apartments.

Dublin City Council has agreed to purchase the units and distribute them as part of its social housing stock but progress on their refurbishment has been slow.

In 2018, deputy chief executive of the council Brendan Kenny said it was “a scandal really” the time it has taken for the apartments to be fit for habitation.

The receiver of the units had appointed a contractor to carry out works on the apartments, but Kenny said the council was not happy with the quality of the construction.

In response to a question tabled by Deputy Ellis, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said that Dublin City Council is “working with the receiver” in acquiring the apartments.

“According to DCC, in February 2021, they reached a settlement agreement with the receiver in relation to the remedial works and other issues in relation to the overall development.

“DCC has informed my department that the final settlement agreement has been signed and executed on the council’s behalf and it is now with receiver’s solicitors for execution.

“Once this is executed by the receiver, DCC will have legal ownership of these 58 apartments.”

Minister O’Brien said that overall cost of acquiring the apartments is estimated to be €7,746,404 and that a contract for tender to refurbish the apartments will be sought in quarter two of this year.

“The cost of providing security for the 58 units is a matter for DCC and/or the current owners (the receiver).

“The acquisition, refurbishment and future allocation of the units is ultimately a matter for DCC,” he said.

In a statement to the Northside People, a Dublin City Council spokesperson said that it is “preparing to carry out remediation works on the units in Prospect Hill.

“A definitive timeline for completion of the works is not available at this time due to the current restrictions.

“On completion the units will be in the ownership of the City Council for social housing purposes.”

Deputy Ellis says that it is a “disgrace” how long this project has been “lingering on” for and would like to see it resolved soon.