Urgent funding call for Ballybough House refurbishment

The Minister for Housing has been called upon to urgently deliver the funds to refurbish Ballybough House after “years of neglect.”

The complex, which is located on Poplar Row, was built in 1938 and consists of 111 social homes, under the control Dublin City Council.

Due to the buildings’s historic nature, it is list as a protected structure – meaning the process of amending or redeveloping it can be an arduous one.

However, residents have long complained about mould, damp and unsafe lighting fixtures and pipes.

“There have been years and years of problems,” says local Independent councillor Christy Burke.

“There’s mould in the kitchens, exposed pipes running along walls, dampness – just a lot of problems,” he says.

Plans to refurb the building – instead of completely demolish – were made in early 2020 when the council said it wants to undertake a “deep retrofit” of the building.

The works would bring the building up to modern standards for insulation and energy, with a B1 rating.

The proposal also includes knocking some of the apartments to create fewer, but larger homes with more space and facilities.

Earlier this year the council announced plans to design and develop a show home, to show residents what the new apartments will look like.

“I was blown away,” says Burke.

“The show home had beautiful designs and ideas.

“There was a great buzz there at the show flat among the residents and what was going to be included,” Burke said.

“The kids were mesmerised at the play space and proper sized bathrooms,” he says.

However, Burke says the designs and show homes can’t go to waste, and funds need to be assigned for the project.

“The area all around Ballybough House has been redeveloped over the years,” Burke says.

“They were the best years ago.

“I remember when I was first elected, getting a place in Ballybough House was like winning a lottery ticket,” he says.

“But it has fallen behind and residents have endured years of neglect.

“Showcase all you like, but without the money you are just misleading the residents,”

he says.

“All the residents want is the adequate housing.”

Burke tabled a motion to a Central Area Committee meeting earlier this month asking the council to write the relevant Government departments requesting that the project is prioritised.

The motion said: “That this Central Area Committee calls on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister for Finance to secure funding for the refurbishment of all the units at Ballybough House, given that the complex is listed, this complex has been left behind on any works over the years.”

The council agreed to write to the departments, requesting the funding be made available.

“I don’t want to mislead the residents,” Burke.

“The planners said that it would take a couple of years to complete the works so we can’t keep them waiting any further – we need the money as soon as possible.”