Dublin Corporation is seeking an additional allocation of £100 million, over and above its normal housing construction and remedial works programmes, to redevelop some of the worst enclaves of social deprivation in the city.
St Joseph's Mansions in Sean MacDermott Street is to be "decanted" for refurbishment and three other problem-ridden flat complexes in the north inner city replaced by low-rise housing, at an estimated cost of £51 million.
The plan also calls for the redevelopment of St Michael's Estate at a cost of £16 million, and the part-demolition and refurbishment of Poplar Row, Ballybough, at a cost of £13 million.
Also earmarked for part-demolition and refurbishment are the Marmion Court flats complex at Queen Street/Blackhall Place (£9 million) and the Bridgefoot Street/Island Street flats (£19 million).
In its appeal to the Department of the Environment for additional funding, the corporation has stressed that major physical rejuvenation of these estates is essential if there is to be strong community involvement in managing them.
The city manager, Mr John Fitzgerald, has made the rejuvenation of run-down inner city flats complexes one of his top priorities, arguing that the booming economy has generated sufficient money to fund a rolling programme over the next few years.
