‘Dispute’ at Cork city halting site delays delivery of welfare units

THE delivery of 10 much-needed welfare units to the Spring Lane halting site in Ballyvolane has been delayed after a dispute is understood to have broken out.

The units, containing washing and toilet facilities, are required by families at the site where issues with living conditions have been well publicised.

It is understood that electrical work must first be carried out at some sections of the site before installing around five of the units.

When attempts were made to fit the first number of units, it is believed that a conflict arose over the allocation of the units, which resulted in the contractor walking away from the work.

'Regrettable'

Speaking to The Echo, Independent councillor Ken O’Flynn described the alleged incident while the contractor was attempting to install the first tranche of units as “very regrettable” and “deeply frustrating”.

It is understood that it is now planned that electrical work will first be completed to enable all of the welfare units to be delivered in one go, however, this will create a delay of a number of months.

The planned welfare units are set to be installed in advance of a proposed redevelopment of the Spring Lane halting site, along with the construction of a new purpose-built group housing scheme on the land adjacent to Spring Lane, known as Elliss’ Yard.

“What anyone should take away from this story is the desperate conditions on the site,” Green Party councillor Oliver Moran said.

“Where else are people fighting over basic facilities, like showers and toilets?

“The effect now is that families, children and people who are already vulnerable will have to wait until the electrical works are finished.

“That’s heartbreaking for families who were to receive the first tranche of showers and toilets. Things the rest of us take for granted.”

Mr Moran said there is an “absolute need to redevelop the site to basic modern standards, to reduce the number of people living there, and to put in place proper estate management”.

“The plan for Spring Lane and Ellis’s Yard that’s now out for public consultation is the only realistic way forward to achieve that. It has to be delivered on for everyone’s benefit,” he added.

Incident

Director of advocacy at Cork Traveller Visibility Group (TVG), Breda O’Donoghue, said that TVG were made aware of a recent incident at Spring Lane.

“We’re aware now that an issue happened between the contractor and one resident which city council workers are aware of and have dealt with, and I suppose, at the end of the day, it is a matter between that particular resident and their landlord, the local authority,” she said.

Ms O’Donoghue said that, to her knowledge, gardaí were not called to attend the scene.

Speaking generally, she said TVG “doesn’t condone any type of aggressive behavior towards anybody”.

'Dire conditions'

She said families at Spring Lane have been living in “dire conditions” and she hoped the welfare units “will be delivered sooner rather than later because they are badly needed”.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council told The Echo that the council is “progressing and committed to the delivery of ten welfare units to Spring Lane halting site”.

“While there are a number of issues which impacted on the delivery of these units, contingencies are being put in place to proceed with the project as expeditiously as possible.

“The original contractor is no longer working on the site and a new contractor will be appointed as soon as possible,” they added.