Tenants say £13 plan would not end flats problems

THE refurbishment of Rahoon flats complex in Galway, which the Department of the Environment is considering at a cost off £13 million, would do little to address its acute social problems, according to a report on the area.

It says that facilities, particularly for families, are likely to continue to be inadequate, with intimidation, vandalism and excessive noise undermining the quality of life of its local authority tenants.

There will never be a sense of ownership and respect for the area as the vast majority of people (80 per cent) simply do not like living in the flats and certainly do not wish to live in them permanently, the report by Rahoon Tenants' Association and Westside Resource Centre states.

"The grim and depressing reality is that people fear for themselves and their children. The flats do not constitute a home.

They symbolise an environment which is often referred to as a `no go area', where normal life does not and cannot prevail."

The report suggests that all 276 flats in four storeyed blocks be demolished. Case studies confirm that residents have to block their letter boxes because of waste, including burning rags, being shoved into their homes. Parents speak of keeping children permanently indoors and of frequently having to scrape excrement from their doorsteps.

"I'm working on a community employment scheme. Were it not for this job," one resident said "I would he really depressed, having to live in such a dump with no one to talk to and nothing to do but remain cooped up in this flat with my child.

"The job provides the only opportunity to get out. It also enables my child to mix with others in a safe environment, which is most definitely away from the flats.

The number of people in the flats - often referred to as Galway's Ballymun - is about 830. Most of the families surveyed for the report (139 households) are, on social welfare (86 per cent)" while two per cent are on FAS programmes. Sixty one per cent of the tenants are lone parents.

Among the problems listed were inaccessibility and difficulties associated with young people: "drinking, bullying, joyriding, drug pushing and fighting". The stairways in particular pose difficulty. They are open and there is no lift.

"They are unclean and poorly lit and are frequently used for urination/excretion. It's difficult for parents with children to access their home, particularly when burdened with buggies and shopping."

The report also outlines problems of waste disposal, lighting and heating.

Following its publication, Galway Corporation has agreed to consider selling the 20 year old complex subject to the Department's approval. The homes are close to the upmarket Taylor's Hill Salthill area. Its proximity to the city centre adds to its value. It could fetch £200,000 an acre, according to auctioneers.

Suggestions have been made that it would be more suitable for private apartments or student accommodation, according to the city manager, Mr Joe Gavin. But disposal of the flats for cash would be of little value to the corporation as it would have great difficulty in securing alternative land to replace them.

An arrangement whereby the private sector would purchase the flats in part exchange for an equivalent number of two and three bedroomed houses provided in a variety of schemes was recommended to city councillors.