Renewal is aim of Fatima plan

The regeneration of Dublin Corporation's housing stock continued with the launch this week of the £100 million (€127m) plan to redevelop Fatima Mansions by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.

Along with the regeneration of Ballymun and the north east inner city, the redevelopment of Fatima Mansions, which will include a large indoor sports centre and childcare facilities, represents a flagship approach to housing by the corporation.

The scheme proposed for Fatima Mansions involves the demolition of all the existing flats and replacing them with two, three and four-storey homes in the form of duplexes and traditional houses.

Similar flats were demolished in the north inner city at Guild street to make way for housing and an extension to the IFSC.

The Fatima Mansions plan also provides for a greater social mix, with 300 private apartments to be constructed on part of the site. The plan also envisages the development of enterprise and training units to improve access to employment.

The new homes to be provided will be of a superior standard with central heating and proper kitchens, with room for fridges and dishwashers - facilities which were not available in the flats.

The area is to be well served by public transport, with the Luas line running on the James' Walk boundary of the site. An urban regeneration forum is to be created between the local community, the corporation and the service providers.

According to Mr John Fitzgerald, the Dublin city manager, the master plan proposes a comprehensive economic and social regeneration for "a community determined to find a better way forward for themselves and their families.

"Dublin Corporation has already engaged in extensive consultation with the residents of Fatima Mansions and the master plan takes on board everyone's concerns that this location should no longer have a poor public image, but should enjoy and be part of the general prosperity that Dublin is enjoying."