CHRISTINE DIBELIUS,
Madam, - Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 was an imaginative piece of legislation and showed an understanding of the need to increase social housing provision; it was an example of leadership. Sadly it was short-lived in face of a well funded, influential lobby group. We write on behalf of a very large group of people without influence who by rights should benefit from one of the main aims of the Act, the fostering of social inclusion and integrated communities.
Like our colleagues in Focus Ireland (December 13th) we heard with regret but not surprise of the climb-down by the Government on some of the provisions of the Act. The letter of the same day from the Irish Home Builders' Association which "rejects any suggestion that the Government has bowed to pressure from the industry" is also not a surprise, even though spokespersons from the industry and the association have been working to achieve a reversal of its provisions since the Act's introduction. The Property section of your own paper on numerous occasions has carried the portents of gloom contained in the industry's press releases.
The proposal in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2002 allows for land, houses or sites to be provided at "alternative locations". This let-out means that social rented housing and affordable housing will continue to be provided separately from privately developed and owned properties, ensuring that we will see ongoing social segregation with none of the advantages brought about by mixed tenure.
We are also extremely concerned that developers will have an opt-out clause by providing financial compensation. Will a register be set up in each local authority area so that all transactions, either of land, buildings or cash, are available for inspection? - Yours, etc.,
CHRISTINE DIBELIUS,
Policy & Development Officer,
Clann Housing Association;
PATRICIA CLEARY,
Director, HAIL Housing
Association;
MUIREANN MORRIS,
Director, Sonas
Housing Association;
JEAN QUINN,
D.W. and Eamonn Martin,
Co-Directors,
Sophia Housing Association,
Phibsboro Road,
Dublin 7.