Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 1980 > Committee on Commercial State-Sponsored Bodies > Report No. 12 - National Building Agency, Limited

APPENDIX 6

LETTER TO CLERK TO JOINT COMMITTEE FROM CORK CORPORATION

I refer to your circular letter of the 14th. November, 1979, in which you invited the views of Cork Corporation on the National Building Agency. I must apologise for the delay in replying.

The National Building Agency was first involved with Cork Corporation in the later sixties and early 1970’s when 1812 dwellings were provided in the Togher, Glen and Mayfield areas. These dwellings were partially prefabricated, and it was immediately apparent that the whole concept of this type of building was unsuitable for local authority tenants. Since the houses were handed over to the Corporation sums of money in excess of a half million pounds have been spent in trying to bring these dwellings up to the standard of conventional housing stock. It is appreciated that these dwellings provided immediate relief to a very pressing housing problem in Cork City at the time, and that the thoughts and ideas which went into their construction were influenced by the twin aims of inexpensive and speedy construction. It is unfortunate that the realisation of these aims was not achieved and that these structures are a continual problem for Cork Corporation in so far as the whole design does not lend itself to high-density low income occupations. The problems in these schemes have been exacerbated by the escalating cost of heating. Submissions have been made for additional funds to the Department of the Environment to have an on-going programme of remedying the more basic defects in these schemes.

The Corporation commissioned the National Building Agency again in 1976 to design a housing scheme at Curraheen. This was a conventional scheme of 165 houses, later extended by 26 to 191 houses. The design and standards of construction achieved on this scheme have become a model for the whole City, and the houses are in high demand as a result. Unfortunately, the Contractors involved, Messrs. Lakeglen Construction Ltd., went into liquidation and the scheme has fallen seriously behind scheduled finishing dates. The National Building Agency deserves the highest praise for the manner in which it dealt with the liquidation of the Contractor concerned and the employment of another Contractor to finish the scheme. It is, however, regretted that the second Contractor has not honoured his commitments regarding delivery of houses. The powers of the National Building Agency or indeed of any employer are extremely restricted in dealing with a situation of persistent delays.

In 1978 the Corporation gave the Agency a further scheme at Model Farm Road. This is a three phased scheme of 89, 90 and 50 houses in each phase. The first phase is proceeding satisfactorily and the second phase has gone to tender. It is expected that tenders for the last phase will be received in the current year.

In relation to the specific points raised by you I wish to state:—

(a) Having regard to the above the experience of Cork Corporation in regard to the work done by the National Building Agency has been variable. The Corporation is confident that the problems which occurred in the original schemes will not be repeated. We are also of the opinion that the work carried out by the National Building Agency on the two recent schemes are of the highest standard and quality and something of which the National Building Agency and the City can be proud.

(b) The Corporation is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the consultation between the Council and the National Building Agency in agreeing a brief prior to commencement of housing design. Officers of the National Building Agency have come to Cork and had frequent discussions with Corporation officials to ensure that agreement is reached prior to the commencement of design.

(c) The Corporation is satisfied regarding the degree of consultation between the Council and the National Building Agency in relation to these matters.

(d) The Corporation is satisfied regarding the supervision of the National Building Agency of constructions and the procedure for taking over completed schemes. In view of the previous experience of the Agency in Mayfield, Glen and Togher, the Corporation now retains some supervisory personnel on site to keep a watching brief on standards.

(e) The completed houses in Curraheen are excellent. The Contractor, however, has been slow to remedy faults. This, however, is common with all building contractors, particularly in areas such as Cork where there is a severe shortage of skilled labour.

In addition to the above I would like to express the appreciation of the Corporation to the officers of the National Building Agency who have made themselves available at all times to discuss progress and problems arising out of schemes. They have attended meetings at great personal inconvenience and at short notice at the request of Elected Members and of the officers of Cork Corporation. The Corporation is at present happy with the performance of the National Building Agency, and it is accepted that problems regarding delay in house completions are essentially outside the control of the Agency.

Assistant City Manager.

4 February 1980