Release of further State lands for the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative

The Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D., announced today 28 December 2003 that the Government has released further lands in Dublin, Cork and Waterford for affordable housing. The sites will allow approximately 3,600 houses to be built. The houses will be sold at affordable prices. Rising house prices have made it difficult for some workers to buy their own homes. This initiative will boost the availability of affordable housing for this group. 

The Taoiseach said The release of state-owned land at these sites has the potential to yield around 3,600 housing units, in Cork, Dublin and Waterford. State owned lands at Harcourt Terrace, Portrane and St. Bricins Hospital in Dublin are among the sites released. Local authority lands in the South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council areas will also be used.

In Cork City properties on the Model Farm Road and the Youghal Road have been identified along with lands in Clonakilty. 

Waterford City Council is to provide land for approximately 100 housing units.*

Lands for 2,650 of the 3,600 units are to be identified by local authorities at the request of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr. Martin Cullen T.D. The number of units on each site will be depend on its characteristics, and the appropriate housing mix for the area and other facilities.

At the ICTU conference in July, the Taoiseach announced the release of lands at Infirmary Road and Jamestown Road in Dublin along with lands in Kildare Town and Gormanstown in Co. Meath.

These additional sites, when combined with the sites previously released by the Government and existing schemes will result in approximately 6,100 housing units in total. 

The Government is honouring its commitment in Sustaining Progress to deliver affordable housing the Taoiseach said.  The Government will deliver good quality housing for those who have been priced out of the market in recent times. We will ensure that the projects are developed in a sustainable manner

The Taoiseach said that the Affordable Housing Initiative is an important part of Government policy. Bringing balance to the housing market is a priority.   Government policy is creating an environment where housing construction is at the highest per capita level in Europe with over 60,000 units being built in 2003

The Government is also investing huge resources to provide social housing.  Investment in housing in 2004 will exceed €1.8 billion, up 5.5% on 2003 levels.  Local authority housing starts will increase to 5,000 units. This will consolidate the progress in the voluntary and co-operative housing sector to meet social housing needs.  

The Taoiseach said, The Government is committed to meeting the needs of a young, increasing and working population. Todays announcement is an important step in delivering on Government commitments. It shows that Government and the Social Partners can co-operate effectively. The success of Sustaining Progress in addressing major national issues is evident.

28 December 2003


* Details of sites in the Appendix.


Appendix

Details of lands which the Government have agreed to release for use in the Affordable Housing Initiative


Dublin

About 2,300 units will be provided by the Dublin local authorities on their own lands:  South Dublin County Council (1,000 units), Dublin City Council (900) and Fingal County Council (400).  These local authority developments will be additional to their existing programmes. 

In addition, the Government have agreed to the release of the following sites with the potential to yield about 260 housing units:

  • Department of Agriculture and Food site at Harcourt Terrace, Dublin 2;
  • Department of Health lands at Portrane, Co. Dublin;
  • Part of Department of Defence lands at St. Bricins Hospital, Dublin 7.

The potential yield from all sites may vary depending upon the need to incorporate a mix of housing and other facilities.

Taking into account the 400 units likely to be built on the sites at Infirmary Road and Jamestown Road announced last July, the total number of potential units expected to be delivered in the Capital under the Initiative will be approx. 2,960 units. This will be boosted by affordable housing coming from Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 as amended.


Cork

About 250 housing units will be provided on Cork City Council lands for this Initiative.

In addition, the Government have agreed to the release of the following sites with the potential to yield about 690 units, bringing the total potential number of units to be delivered in Cork under the Initiative to about 940 units:

  • Department of Agriculture and Food and Office of Public Works lands at Model Farm Road, Cork City;
  • Department of Defence lands at Youghal Road in Cork City;
  • Department of Agriculture and Food lands in Clonakilty.


Waterford

Projects will be developed on lands owned by Waterford City Council with potential to yield about 100units for the Initiative.


Other areas

Last July, the Taoiseach also announced the proposal to develop housing under the Initiative in Kildare Town (Magee Barracks) and Gormanston, Co. Meath.  The Government will continue to explore the potential for other State lands and under-utilised lands to be used for the Initiative and for other housing purposes.