LOCAL residents have slammed costly refurbishment works on a soon-to-be demolished block of flats in Ballymun as a “complete waste of money”.
Lifts in the eight storey blocks on Sillogue Road, Ballymun, are set to be out of action for weeks due to refurbishment works but the blocks themselves are set to be demolished just months after the work is due to be completed.
Residents have strongly criticised the move in light of the fact that they’ll all be leaving the blocks in 18 months’ time.
According to locals, the refurbishments – which will cost an estimated e200,000 - will inconvenience many residents as two of the lifts will be shut down for three months.
“I live on the seventh floor which means I have to walk up 14 flights of stairs to go to and from my flat,” said resident Gerry Kinsella.
“I suffer from high blood pressure so I could do without that level of exertion.
“I just don’t see why they’re wasting money on such extensive improvements considering we are all due to be relocated in the coming months.”
According to Mr Kinsella, the money would be better spent elsewhere.
“The lifts are working grand in general,” he claimed. “They only need to be maintained, not completely refurbished.
“This is going to put undue pressure on people who don’t need it. I mean, how are young mothers supposed to carry their young children and buggies up and down those stairs every day?”
Dublin City Council has offered residents alternative accommodation while the works are being carried out.
“It’s ridiculous for the council to expect people to pack up their homes and move to a flat on another level for three months,” Mr Kinsella said.
“Sure we would have to do the same thing all over again a few months further down the line when we are relocated to our new homes.”
Fiona Redmond lives on the fifth floor of the Ballymun block. She’s on crutches and isn’t looking forward to weeks of clambering up the stairs.
“I recently broke a bone in my foot so I could be in a cast for up to 10 more weeks,” she told Northside People.
“I just can’t go up and down those stairs so will I be trapped in my home for three months until the lifts are back working again?”
The Redmond household will feel an added strain as Fiona’s daughter is due to give birth next week.
“I just don’t know how she will manage,” she said.
“But others will be faced with similar difficulties as about 30 families are dependent on each of those lifts.”
Local councillor Andrew Montague (Lab) said the works are “obviously necessary”.
“It will be a tough few months for many people,” he said.
“But something has to be done and if the lifts are not working then they need to be fixed.”
A spokesperson for Dublin City Council confirmed that the works will commence in the coming weeks.
“Residents were given a name to contact should they feel they have any mobility issues or issues that would require assistance,” it was stated.
“One resident has requested a move to an alternative flat while works are being carried out and this resident has been facilitated.”
She added: “The refurbishment is being carried out on health and safety grounds as the lifts concerned have reached the end of their life cycle.
“It had been expected that these blocks would have been fully vacated at this stage but we are aware now that this is not the situation and the council will not compromise on safety.”