Menu
20/05/2008
Social Housing Project Collapse 'Blow To The Most Vulnerable'
Dublin City Council has confirmed a private developer has pulled out of five multi-million euro social housing schemes, which would have delivered thousands of housing units.
The public-private partnership (PPP) projects - worth over €900m - were to be built by Castlehorn Construction, owned by businessman Bernard McNamara.
He has decided not to go ahead with the plans due to the current economic climate and "substantial" changes in the housing market, as well as the costs of recent changes to building regulations involving increased apartment sizes and better energy efficiency.
A Dublin council spokesperson, said: "Current economic climate and the substantial changes that have taken place in the residential housing sector recently, have rendered these projects unviable, from the private partner's perspective, as the PPP concept was partly based on the sale of private units to fund the cost of new social and affordable units being provided free to Dublin City Council."
The statement also revealed the tenants are now its priority, and the council will "explore its options for regenerating these areas" and provide social and affordable housing for its tenants.
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael housing spokesman, described the collapse of the deal as a "blow to the most vulnerable".
He continued, accusing Taoiseach Brian Cowen of "mismanaging" the economy, saying: "The waiting lists for social and affordable housing in Dublin are the highest in the country and this deal collapse, due to Cowen's property crash, means that these people face an uncertain future.
"It is time the Government re-examines direct provision of social and affordable housing units to ensure the most vulnerable get a roof over their head."
The redevelopment of St Michael's Estate in Inchicore, will be particularly hit by the news, as €265m was to be invested in the regeneration - which was planned since 2001. Of the 11 tower blocks making up the development, seven have now been demolished.
The Labour Party have called upon Dublin City Council to come up with an alternative plan for the 138 units at St Michael's Estate, to ensure those affected by the plans will be housed.
(JM/NS)
The public-private partnership (PPP) projects - worth over €900m - were to be built by Castlehorn Construction, owned by businessman Bernard McNamara.
He has decided not to go ahead with the plans due to the current economic climate and "substantial" changes in the housing market, as well as the costs of recent changes to building regulations involving increased apartment sizes and better energy efficiency.
A Dublin council spokesperson, said: "Current economic climate and the substantial changes that have taken place in the residential housing sector recently, have rendered these projects unviable, from the private partner's perspective, as the PPP concept was partly based on the sale of private units to fund the cost of new social and affordable units being provided free to Dublin City Council."
The statement also revealed the tenants are now its priority, and the council will "explore its options for regenerating these areas" and provide social and affordable housing for its tenants.
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael housing spokesman, described the collapse of the deal as a "blow to the most vulnerable".
He continued, accusing Taoiseach Brian Cowen of "mismanaging" the economy, saying: "The waiting lists for social and affordable housing in Dublin are the highest in the country and this deal collapse, due to Cowen's property crash, means that these people face an uncertain future.
"It is time the Government re-examines direct provision of social and affordable housing units to ensure the most vulnerable get a roof over their head."
The redevelopment of St Michael's Estate in Inchicore, will be particularly hit by the news, as €265m was to be invested in the regeneration - which was planned since 2001. Of the 11 tower blocks making up the development, seven have now been demolished.
The Labour Party have called upon Dublin City Council to come up with an alternative plan for the 138 units at St Michael's Estate, to ensure those affected by the plans will be housed.
(JM/NS)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 August 2015
Sinn Féin's Opposition To Housing Plans 'Almost Beyond Belief' - Dowds
Sinn Féin's opposition to a proposal to build 50 new social housing units in Clondalkin has been described as an "absolutely disgrace and almost beyond belief". Labour TD Robert Dowds accused Cllr Eoin Ó Broin of "complete political cowardice", and that it was people on the housing waiting list that would suffer as a result.
Sinn Féin's Opposition To Housing Plans 'Almost Beyond Belief' - Dowds
Sinn Féin's opposition to a proposal to build 50 new social housing units in Clondalkin has been described as an "absolutely disgrace and almost beyond belief". Labour TD Robert Dowds accused Cllr Eoin Ó Broin of "complete political cowardice", and that it was people on the housing waiting list that would suffer as a result.
07 August 2014
Govt Accused Of Ignoring Scale Of Housing Crisis
The government has been accused of maintaining policy that ensures a "huge" housing shortage, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said. Mr Adams also accused the government of failing to "face up" to the scale of the housing crisis, particularly in the Greater Dublin area.
Govt Accused Of Ignoring Scale Of Housing Crisis
The government has been accused of maintaining policy that ensures a "huge" housing shortage, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said. Mr Adams also accused the government of failing to "face up" to the scale of the housing crisis, particularly in the Greater Dublin area.
10 November 2015
'No Excuse' For Social Housing Units Lying Empty - SF
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, Dessie Ellis, has said that there is "no excuse" for 3000 social housing units lying idle across the state in a time of crisis when over 130,000 households are on waiting lists for such housing.
'No Excuse' For Social Housing Units Lying Empty - SF
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, Dessie Ellis, has said that there is "no excuse" for 3000 social housing units lying idle across the state in a time of crisis when over 130,000 households are on waiting lists for such housing.
29 September 2015
DCC Call For Housing Crisis To Be Declared 'National Emergency'
Dublin City Council housing committee has voted unanimously to call on Minister Alan Kelly to declare the housing crisis a 'National Emergency'. The council took the vote at a meeting held on Monday night. Speaking after the meeting, Cllr.
DCC Call For Housing Crisis To Be Declared 'National Emergency'
Dublin City Council housing committee has voted unanimously to call on Minister Alan Kelly to declare the housing crisis a 'National Emergency'. The council took the vote at a meeting held on Monday night. Speaking after the meeting, Cllr.
30 July 2015
Housing Agency Report 'Highlights Need For Major Investment' - SF
A report released by the Housing Agency has "further highlighted the need for major investment in the building, purchasing and renovation of social housing", Sinn Féin's Daithí Doolan has said.
Housing Agency Report 'Highlights Need For Major Investment' - SF
A report released by the Housing Agency has "further highlighted the need for major investment in the building, purchasing and renovation of social housing", Sinn Féin's Daithí Doolan has said.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with good clear spells bringing a rural frost for some and some fog patches in places. Cloudier around the coast of Country Down where the odd light shower may develop. Northerly breezes persisting. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
