Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
1424. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated number of units to be delivered in each of the pilot projects for a new cost rental scheme; the timeframe for their delivery; the criteria for their allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36883/18]
View answerIn light of the ongoing affordability challenge faced by renters in Dublin and other urban centres, it is a major Government priority that cost rental becomes a significant part of our rental sector. Together with delivering much more affordable and predictable rents, cost rental will make a sustainable impact on national competitiveness and the attractiveness of our main urban centres as places to live as well as work.
There are two pilot cost rental schemes currently being advanced; one at Enniskerry Road, in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, and the other one at St. Michael’s Estate in Inchicore, Dublin 8. It is expected that 50 affordable units and 100 social homes will be made available on the Enniskerry Road site. It is estimated that the site at St. Michael's Estate will accommodate over 470 homes. While the final tenure mix will be decided by Dublin City Council and informed by the detailed site development process, it will likely include 140 social housing homes, with the remaining 330 homes predominantly provided under cost rental.
In relation to Enniskerry Road, it is anticipated that construction will commence in the first quarter of 2019. With regard to St. Michael's Estate, Dublin City Council has appointed a dedicated project manager and a project team to drive this key project. In addition to pre-existing consultative arrangements, the City Council is also facilitating the establishment of a special Inchicore Regeneration Consultative Forum to focus directly on the development of this key project.
Once these pilot projects have progressed further, it is my intention to roll out cost rental projects across other suitable sites.
