Dublin City Council's decision to drop a plan to demolish high-rise council flats at St Michael's estate in Inchicore has been criticised by a social and economic think-thank.
Built in the 1970s, the estate comprises 346 local authority homes and is characterised by high levels of unemployment and social deprivation. Under a plan adopted by the city council in January 2000, it was to have been demolished and the residents rehoused in new, low-level homes on the 11-acre site. The cost of the plan was almost €85 million.
However, following the rehousing of just 50 families and 22 senior citizens in nearby Bulfin Court and Emmett Crescent, the Department of the Environment decided that "the redevelopment in its current form cannot be supported".
The council decided to opt instead for a public-private partnership (PPP) model to rejuvenate the area.
But yesterday that decision was criticised by Nexus Research, which evaluates the Government's Community Development Programme.
"Whatever about the suitability of PPPs in building roads and bridges", the model was not effective for longer-term urban regeneration, said Mr Brian Dillon of Nexus.
