DSD Minister must be clear on future of Ross Street Flats
Published: 17 July, 2010
Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has called on the Minister for Social Development to stop playing games and tell residents once and for all if he will reverse the decision of his party leader and former DSD minister and declare Ross Street Flats and Cottages surplus to future housing need.
The Falls MLA said: "After the Minister paid an early morning visit last Thursday he is still making vague signals that an announcement is imminent on the future of the Ross Street flats and cottages. He can dress it up in whatever fashion he likes, the fact remains that these flats are a blight on this community.
"I have no doubt that this policy adopted by the two successive DSD ministers has been driven by senior civil servants within this department. This has been quite obvious from the outset when they ordered the refurbishment of these properties in the face of all evidence and advice coming from the community calling for these properties to go.
"The Minister needs to do the right thing and make his decision on what is good for the area and not on the views of people who have made only a fleeting visit to the area to make their assessments."
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