Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Deputies Corcoran Kennedy and Flanagan both raised the issue of unfinished estates. We are making good progress on this issue. The initial funding was for dealing with public safety issues, but a further €10 million was announced in the budget by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This money is specifically for unfinished estates with public realm issues that can be addressed, such as footpaths and public lighting. We are now asking local authorities to submit proposals for this funding. The money is for the type of measures mentioned, particularly where there is no bond or an inadequate bond is in place. We expect that funding will also be a stimulus for private funding to be spent on estates like that referred to by Deputy Flanagan. We expect that if the lenders and developers see there is money coming in from public funds, they will spend money on completing houses, etc. We intend to spend that money in 2014 to address the issues on some estates. Contrary to Deputy Flanagan's suggestion there is no hope for people, €10 million has been allocated this year to address the issues of unfinished estates.