Minister gets firsthand view of bailieboro residents concerns
Sean McMahon
In Bailieborough
A government minister visited two random housing estates in Bailieborough today (Thursday, October 30) to see first hand the pressing issues needed to be addressed in terms of lighting, sewage and public safety.
The Minister for State at the Department of the Environment, Paudie Coffey firstly visited Drumlin Manor estate, just off the Kinigscourt Road, and saw where a number of unfinished dwellings had been demolished, and just four of a block of eight houses were occupied. Lighting and safety issues were also brought to his attention during the visit.
Accompanied by Deputy Joe O’Reilly he also visited the Lisgrey Gardens estate, off the Virginia Road, where he met a number of residents. A percentage of the houses in the estate, which is well maintained with the grass cut frequently, are not occupied.
“This is a private estate and obviously the developer is trying to do his best,” said Minister Coffey.
“Some to the residents have brought to my attention issues surrounding sewerage, that they feel is a public concern in terms of public health,” he said.
“The council is working proactively with the developer to resolve those issues,' added the Minister.
Minister Coffey told The Anglo-Celt that he wish to acknowledge the fact that he was welcomed by residents in both estates.
“They were able to show me at first-hand what they are living with on a daily basis. I’m not surprised, because these estates exist the length and breadth of the country unfortunately, and they are part of the legacy of the boom to bust cycle of the Celtic Tiger,” said Minister Coffey.
“The good news is that progress is being made in resolving a lot of these estates – not quick enough I acknowledge for a lot of the residents who want to see things happening a lot faster,” he said.
“The two estates I saw today are just a random sample and I know there are many more in Cavan and other counties as well that need to be resolved.
'There is a special Resolution Fund that is being funded by the taxpayer - by my Department and €500,000 has been allocated by my Department to resolve issues, first of all that are health and safety concerns, and also a public safety and public access concern to a lot of these estates,” said Minister Coffey.
Are you living in an unfinished estate? What issues are you faced with?