Local Sinn Féin Councillor for Lucan, Palmerstown and North Clondalkin Derren Ó Brádaigh, has welcomed the announcement by South Dublin County Council to initiate a detailed investigative survey to better inform a much needed programme of roof repairs in the Dublin Mid-West housing estate of Balgaddy.
Cllr Ó Brádaigh said: “Although I have only been a councillor for a short few months, I have been inundated with issues that relate to legacy structural defects within the development of Balgaddy, constructed between 2003-2005. A significant number of these issues are the direct consequence of poor roofing – many of the homes here have flat roofs and have experienced serious leaks.
“It is important to acknowledge the ongoing remedial works by the council over the years and to be fair, they are in some ways a victim of this particular ill-constructed development – any home must comprise weather resistant design measures and materials that can withstand the exterior Irish climate and this most importantly means good roofing. So many complaints by residents relate to dampness and mould and getting the roofing solution remedied is a fundamental fix.
“A combined councillor led initiative with respect to Balgaddy has been an agreed in recent months by all local electoral area councillors and I wish to acknowledge this progressive initiative from which there are a number of other individual requests for improvement works. “Following this further motion, that I raised separately at the recent Local Area Committee meeting calling for a long term solution to ongoing roof leaking issues, I was genuinely taken with the response received and commitment given by the Housing Maintenance Section of South Dublin County Council to commence a significant survey undertaking to produce and inform a definitive understanding of the task and cost to implementing the necessary roofing repairs across Balgaddy – this can only be viewed as a very positive news development for affected residents.
“Initial survey work will commence in 2-3 weeks time, with results of the survey expected in 6 weeks – the Council have engaged external consultancy services and a contractor to carry out extensive investigations with more immediate repairs to one of the properties. The overall findings will be used as a template to determine the appropriate action for the remaining flat roof/terraced houses.
