Council buys out sanitary units in order to make them fit for purpose
By Laura Lyne
SANITARY units in Labre Park that have been rented by Dublin City Council at a cost of over €300,000 since 2011 are set to be bought by the council at a cost of over €57,000 after contractors refused to work on refurbishing the site.
As previously reported in The Echo, the units were previously installed as a temporary measure to provide families at Labre Park with running water and sanitation facilities while they waited for redevelopment plans of Labre Park to commence.
At a meeting last week that was attended by Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan, the council confirmed that it is set to purchase the 23 units at a cost of over €57,000 from the Traveller Accommodation Unit capital budget – the units had each been rented at a rate of €421 to €500 per month.
Speaking to The Echo, Cllr Doolan said: “It’s shocking that contractors can get away with this. They have left the council no choice but to buy them outright as it was locked into a contract.
“Ultimately, the contractors refused to work on the site and were refusing to upgrade the conditions, claiming it was unsafe to work there.
“First and foremost, it’s now important that everyone works together to ensure that there are proper facilities and that the residents are given their basic human rights.
“It also has to be ensured that these contractors are never engaged with again, and that there is never a contract with this company again.”
Serious health and safety concerns regarding the sanitary units had been raised by residents of Labre Park with Lorraine McMahon of the Ballyfermot Traveller Action Project calling them “not fit for purpose”.
Following the acquisition of the units, they are expected to be prioritised for refurbishment by the council and work will be staggered to manage costs.
As part of the refurbishment works, all fittings that are serviceable will be salvaged, the units will be rewired and plasterboard will be replaced or covered with a washable surface.
The BTAP, which previously called the rental of the units a “disgraceful waste of resources”, has also offered support to address any health and safety concerns on the site.
Following the refurbishment, the repair and maintenance of the sanitary units is expected to be under the council’s maintenance programme.
