Maynooth University survey finds residents in DCC flats in Cromcastle Court are living in ‘dangerous and unhealthy conditions’

The results of a survey of housing conditions and environmental health in Cromcastle Court flats in Kilmore West, has found that residents are living in ‘dangerous and unhealthy conditions’. 

The survey was carried out by researchers from Maynooth University as part of the ‘Just Housing’ research project, which is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency.  

The survey results show that 97% of residents who responded to the survey report that they face at least one serious problem with their flat, including that the heating system does not work properly, that there is damp and mould or pest infestation, amongst other issues.  

One of the most common problems, which was reported by 80% of residents, is that the heating system in the flats is unreliable or non functional. 

A key issue is that residents do not have control of the heating in their own flats meaning it is sometimes unbearably hot, with temperatures up to 28 degrees, while on other occasions residents are left without heating and hot water altogether. 

During a ‘retrofit’ project carried out by DCC in the mid-2010s, thermostats were installed in all flats and it was assumed by residents that these would allow them to control the temperature in their homes, but these have reportedly turned out to be non-functional. 

The retrofit project also involved the installation of new windows in all flats but the survey results show half of all residents have experienced serious problems with the new windows including some instances where they have fallen out of their frames, causing a clear health and safety risk.  

Other common problems reported by large numbers of residents include mould and damp, leaks and plumbing problems and concerns about water quality. 

Those who responded to the survey also reported serious issues with the maintenance of the communal outdoor areas, including that the stairwells are not kept clean and that the green spaces and playgrounds around the flats are poorly maintained to the extent they pose serious health risks for children. 

The vast majority of those who responded to the survey stated that they have reported the issues identified above to DCC but that this does not lead to problems being fixed and that, where maintenance work is carried out, this is done to a poor standard meaning the problems are not properly fixed. 

The report, written by the Maynooth University research team, states that “the current situation is largely the result of DCC’s failure to make progress with plans for regeneration of the estate, which has been promised since at least 2007-2008, as well as the neglect of basic maintenance activities.”  

The survey also involved collecting information about the impacts of the living conditions on residents. 90% of those who responded stated that the conditions had a serious negative impact on their physical and mental health. 

The reported effects included frequent respiratory illnesses linked to dampness and the issues with heating as well as social isolation and negative impacts on children’s education and development. 

According to one of the report authors, Dr Fiadh Tubridy, “residents in the flats have been calling on DCC to improve the maintenance of the flats and to make progress with their plans for regeneration of the estate for many years. 

“The results of this survey show the dangerous and unhealthy conditions which the current residents are faced with caused by neglect on the part of DCC and the lack of investment in public housing generally and the need for urgent intervention to address the issues which have been identified.”  

Earlier this year, residents in Cromcastle Court, supported by the Community Action Tenants Union, held a protest march to the local DCC office. 

Their demands were that the council should grant priority status for transfers for any of the residents who want to move elsewhere and that all maintenance issues need to be addressed for any of the residents who want to remain in their homes.