To date, the state has shown no concrete intention of adequately funding the recommendations of the Dublin City Taskforce, a status quo which must now end, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon.
Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said:
“Fine Gael’s sudden interest in city regeneration in the run up to the 2024 general election was a blatant electioneering photo-op, using O’Connell Street as a backdrop for publicity.
“Taskforce recommendations, such as renovating all city centre social housing within five years, or incentivising frontline workers to live in the inner city, are meaningless without ringfenced funding in Budget 2026.
“In the latest ‘roadmap for delivery’ for the Dublin City Taskforce, the report and the plan for this year and next is titled “Prepare and Design’’ – that is shambolic considering the challenges the city faces and the time and money that has been given to this initiative.
“Even the Taskforce’s Chair David McRedmond has described the delay in implementing the action plan as “fatal”, crying out for the funding needed to be assigned in Budget 2026 to deliver the taskforce’s vision.
“The Taoiseach used the city of Dublin as a prop – his own Chair of the Dublin City Taskforce is even criticising his leadership.
“Ministers approved the recommendations eight months after the report’s delivery, yet the independent board and special purpose vehicle required to drive the plan are still not in place.
“Constant delays continue to threaten to derail critical interventions of compulsory purchases of derelict and vacant sites.
“Funding requirements for implementation are modest relative to the overall capital budget, but political inaction continues to stall progress.
“Dublin has been neglected by successive governments for over 14 years, leaving the city feeling unloved, unsafe, and increasingly littered – this has to change in Budget 2026.”
September 17th, 2025