Residents of a flax complex in Dublin have said their human rights are being violated due to the conditions they are living in.
The tenants at Dolphin House say a full regeneration promised more than twenty years ago has never happened and that the situation in the estate is as bad as ever.
The complex was built in the 1950s, contains around 400 homes and is the biggest flat complex in the country, but it is clear that it is seriously rundown.
"I live in block that's derelict. Flats boarded up around you, it's very bad on your mental health," says Susan Lawlor who has lived here all her life.
"This used to be, it still is in some parts, a very vibrant community. People are very friendly and know each other but it's sad to see they way people are left living," she says.
In a statement, the community said it is in danger of "crumbling under the weight of neglect", citing issues with mould, damp, overcrowding, and anti-social behaviour.
Dawn Slattery says the conditions in the flats are a constant and unending challenge.
"It's damp and mould and kids constantly being sick ... I'm heartbroken for the kids growing up in the area. This community is collapsing, collapsing from every angle. And we have good, good families here and house-proud people that look after their homes but when it's in the brick work, and out of your control, it's so disheartening and can mentally drain you," she says.
"People say they're 'inner city', like I think they think we live here for free. We pay maintenance fees, we pay rent like everyone else and the conditions we and the kids are in is just deplorable," she says.
The first phase of a regeneration plan was completed six years ago, delivering 100 social housing units, and benefitting around a quarter of the residents.
But since then, the project, including phases 2 and 3, have been hit with several delays.
The residents group have now written to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to initiate an enquiry under the Human Rights Act and are also calling for a senior manager to be immediately appointed to deliver the rest of the regeneration.
Fergus Finlay is the Chair of the Dolphin House Regeneration Board.
"We have come to the conclusion what's happening here is a human rights violation .... The government is telling me there is no issue with money, the money is there. But we're stuck, we're stuck in the middle of a bureaucratic nightmare."
Residents here hope that nightmare comes to an end soon.
'Priority project'
In a statement, Dublin City Council said Dolphin House "remains a priority project".
The council said: "A non-statutory masterplan has been developed by Dublin City Council (DCC) and agreed with the local community and the Regeneration Board. This Masterplan has been reviewed and revised a number of times over the years. It includes for the complete regeneration of the existing estate which proposes the delivery of over 750 homes alongside the provision of community amenities including a community centre and park."
It added that "due to the scale and nature of the proposals, the project is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Part 10 planning lodgement to meet statutory planning requirements".
Dublin City Council said: "As with every project DCC considers all opportunity to shorten and alleviate project timescales. Work is currently underway in procuring the EIAR design team while a Stage 1 application is being prepared for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in order to seek initial funding and project approval.
"Day-to-day management of the Dolphin House Estate continues to be undertaken by the Local Area Office while our Housing Maintenance section is responsible for responding to maintenance requests and general day-to-day upkeep and improvement works on the Estate."
