COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor M. McDonagh

To ask the Manager to give a detailed report on the state of Méile an Rí Drive when it was returned to the management of the Council in 2010 making reference to the detailed concerns raised in two separate reports carried out on behalf of Cara Housing in February/March 2009 (Thornton's) and March/April 2010 (EML); to indicate whether the Council carried out inspections prior to the hand over from Cara examining each of the concerns raised in these two reports; to indicate which of these concerns had been addressed by Cara and which remained outstanding; to indicate what work has been done on theses issues since the Council took over management of Méile an Rí Drive; and to indicate what issues remain unaddressed at the present time?

REPLY:

Originally, it was intended that two blocks containing 24 apartment units at Méile an Rí, would be managed as a voluntary housing scheme by Cara Housing Association under the terms of the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme. For various reasons, the funding for this never materialised and the option of Cara managing the units on behalf of the Council as social housing was explored. The association was in the interim given temporary control of the units while this was explored but in the end no agreement was possible and the units were handed back to the Council in December 2010 as part of an overall cessation by Cara of its voluntary housing activities in Ireland. The Council was unhappy with the extent and quality of maintenance work undertaken by Cara during its period of control.

The situation regarding problems with the apartment units in the Cara block was the subject of a detailed report to the November 2011 meeting of this Committee and this covered and presented copies of the two reports referred to in the Question, which were undertaken by Cara without any Council knowledge, involvement or input.

The Council has relied on inspections carried out by its own staff to determine the extent of problems existing and requiring rectification in these blocks.

Substantial works have been carried out including replacement of all timber panels in aluminium doors with laminated toughened glass, overhead door closures fitted, door saddles to entrance doors fitted etc.

All works have been completed in common areas in the four blocks in Méile an Rí Drive including replacement of entrance doors to the four blocks and letter boxes. Defective seals on replacement doors to common areas are continuing to present a problem and this is being pursued with the company responsible and will be rectified in the near future.

Following the withdrawal of Cara in December 2010, an examination showed a lack of consistency in compliance with required boiler servicing intervals. This has been systematically rectified by contractors acting for the Council.

Soil stack connections in all the attics and at the rere in the Méile an Rí block have been inspected for compliance and most of the necessary remedial works have been completed other than where access difficulties were encountered.

Following the withdrawal of Cara, action was taken by the Council to ensure that all safety systems such as emergency lighting and alarms in common areas were put in working order.  Automatic air vents in roofs have been re-commissioned and serviced.   

From our inspections of the Cara blocks, small gaps were identified between adjoining properties in some attic spaces which could in certain circumstances give rise to the spread of smoke or fire and immediate works were undertaken by a specialist contractor to remove this risk. All units in this phase have now been certified by the company as being in full compliance with the relevant Building Regulations. 

A Pilot Scheme for the replacement of sash windows has been completed in 17 of the 19 two-storey houses in Méile an Rí.  A Tender has now been accepted for the replacement of all other defective sash windows and doors, to include all units in Balgaddy B which includes the Cara blocks. This work commenced this week and is expected to be completed within four months for all housing units in the overall Balgaddy scheme identified as requiring attention to comply with relevant fire and thermal bridging regulations.