Council is praised for work on local complex

LOCAL residents have praised Dublin City Council for the refurbishment it has carried out to date on a flats complex in their area. 

The recent refurbishment of eight blocks of flats at Cromcastle Court, Coolock, has seen new heating systems, windows and smoke alarms installed in every home.

Cromcastle Court currently consists of 128 flats divided among eight blocks, with residents ranging from young families to elderly couples.

An eight-person residents’ committee has been working alongside local politicians Denise Mitchell TD (SF), Cllr Paddy Bourke (Ind), Cllr Allison Gilliland (Lab) and Cllr Larry O’Toole (SF), as well as the city council to improve homeowners’ standard of living.

Gary Lester, a member of the residents’ association, told Northside People about the beginning of the development process and how it has changed the lives of residents.

“Eight of us got together as a committee for all the flats to be redone to a proper standard,” said Mr Lester.  

“It just rose from there over the last three years, with us trying slowly but surely to get things we need.”

As well as giving residents remote access to their heating for the first time, it is expected this more efficient heating system will save Dublin City Council €80,000 annually.

It is expected that more effective insulation will be the next improvement to be made to the flats. While insisting these developments can take time, Mr Lester has spoken highly of the city council’s work throughout the process.

“It’s a slow process unfortunately because of the funding needed but the council are giving us what we’re looking for,” he said.

“Everybody’s happy with the way things are going here. The insulation is just the next step of improving the way things are here.

“If we have any problems, the council are very quick to sort them out and they do listen to us.”

Mr Lester said the residents’ committee is hoping that future developments will include a new playground and newly developed park area within the complex to benefit the growing amount of young families living at Cromcastle.

“We have two big green areas and there’s a lot of young families after moving here so we are trying to get something for the kids here as well and improve the living area for them,” he added. 

A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said: “The insulation of Block 1 of Cromcastle Court is a pilot project carried out in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. 

“Following completion, the works are subject to review and analysis in conjunction with the Department to establish justification and approval to proceed with the next phase. 

“Timelines and funding with regard to future works are at the discretion of the Department.”

REPORT: Daniel O’Connor