Dublin's inner city like other areas of the city, including my constituency, Dublin North West, has long faced challenges related to social inclusion, economic disparity and the consequences of many years of ageing infrastructure and buildings coinciding with a lack of proper maintenance of such structures or adequate financial investment in the areas. In the past there were efforts to revitalise local communities, improve the quality of life of residents and stimulate economic development. The Ballymun regeneration project is one such effort as is the more recent project in O'Devaney Gardens and the redevelopment of St. Mary's Mansions in the north inner city. Regeneration is not only about renovating or building new houses or apartments; it is also about providing proper community facilities and services. It is important that such redevelopments and regeneration projects ensure community-led decision-making by actively involving local residents and other stakeholders in the planning and decision-making process. A recent report from Eurostat shows Ireland has the highest household electricity prices in the European Union. DCC currently maintains an ageing housing stock with over 50% of its properties built between 1930 and 1977. A big problem with the council's retrofitting works programme is that is stops in October and does not resume until April, which leaves a huge gap in knowing what works are required for the following year and contractors left without confirmation of future contracts. There is also an inefficiency in how it works. Where a terrace of houses gets wraparounds, a single house in the middle does not because it is privately owned. Dublin City Council's new differential rent scheme is supposed to augment its maintenance budget and has increased rents for almost all of the city's 68,000 council tenants. It disproportionately impacts social housing tenants already struggling with the cost of living and has placed the burden of funding DCC's maintenance programme on the shoulders of its most vulnerable tenants. Additionally, Dublin City Council manages a significant number of vacant social housing units or voids awaiting refitting or refurbishment. Government assistance is inadequate for such works as the cost of refitting a unit is approximately €40,000 but the Government provides around €10,000 for each unit averaging out from its contribution. DCC has to make up the shortfall. It is outrageous that so many of these regeneration schemes face delays and roadblocks because the Government is blocking the funding necessary for projects such Pearse House regeneration and the Moore Street redevelopment. Today we heard the regeneration of Dublin's Oliver Bond Street complex is to be scrapped. These regeneration projects need to be fully funded and any roadblocks to progress lifted. The neglect of our communities needs to end.

Sentiment score: 0.01