Regeneration budget cut confirmed

THE last remaining families waiting for new homes as part of the Ballymun

regeneration project will have to join a voluntary housing scheme because of

?¬19 million budget cuts.

Rumours of devastating cutbacks were confirmed earlier this month when Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) revealed that funding for the project would be cut by

?¬19 million and additional projects worth

?¬50 million would be deferred.

Last month Northside People exclusively revealed that major budget cuts were on the cards and that officials from BRL were in negotiations with representatives from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government on the future of the project.

However, the confirmation of funding cuts came as no less of a blow for the 31 remaining families who are waiting on new homes in Ballymun.

Their hopes for a permanent home now rest with the Cluid Housing Association.

In a letter from BRL to local representatives confirming the cutbacks, it was stated that the

“current turn of events

? is driven by a shortage of funding at a national level rather than additional projects planned by BRL.

It was outlined that the Department is not in a position to fund the rehousing of all families in the remaining units of the Sillogue Nine scheme and that BRL has been asked to explore alternative funding options. As a result, the regeneration board is in discussions with Cluid Housing Association.

The Department has also requested that BRL find alternative funding for infrastructure at Hampton Woods, Gateway Crescent and Balcurris Road, Sillogue Avenue/Main Street link.

The budget cuts will also have a knock-on effect on the workforce employed by BRL.

The regeneration board has already reduced staff numbers by 19 over the past four months.

“Notwithstanding this we must embark on further reductions in staff numbers,

? stated BRL managing director Philip Maguire.

“This will be done having regard to the essential skill sets necessary to complete the regeneration project and wind up of the company [BRL].

“Very regrettably the adjustment necessary in payroll will entail redundancies of contract staff as well as reassignment of further DCC permanent staff.

“BRL is now engaged with the trade unions on this issue.

?

Local councillor Paul McAuliffe (FF) said he feared that the families currently living in the remaining flats have been left in limbo with a limited prospect of being re-housed.

He also condemned the budget cuts which he said would have serious consequences for the local area.

“Some of the non-housing programmes which were designed to finish the planned new town include public parks, road realignments and the placement of housing in areas to resolve anti-social behaviour and previous poor planning,

? he stated.

“This decision to cut funding will undermine not just the work of the last 14 years but will damage the possibility of the regeneration project being studied and replicated elsewhere.

?