Watchdog criticises cost overruns on Ballymun scheme

The Government's spending watchdog has criticised cost overruns on the scheme to demolish and replace the Ballymun flats in north Dublin.

In a report out today, the Comptroller and Auditor General says the Ballymun Regeneration Scheme was initially supposed to be completed by 2006 at a cost of €442m.

However, he says €501m has already been spent and the work is not expected to be finished until 2012.

The C&AG says the original targets were unrealistic and not properly coasted.

He also says more should be done to improve the employment prospects of local people and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour if the regeneration is to deliver the hoped-for benefits to the area.