Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021
90. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of his work with Dublin City Council to deliver affordable homes on the Poolbeg Strategic Development Zone site. [55104/21]
View answer98. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Glass Bottle Site, Ringsend, Dublin 4; and his plans for affordable housing on the site. [55142/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 98 together.
The regeneration of Poolbeg West is the next important step in transforming the Docklands area, given its strategic location east of Grand Canal Dock, with close proximity to important bridge connections to Dublin Port and North Lotts. The residential potential within the available lands is for a maximum of 3,500 additional residential units.
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) is the responsible agency for the progression of this site in line with the requirements of the NAMA Act. In June 2021, following a comprehensive international open market campaign, a consortium of Ronan Group Real Estate, Oaktree Capital Management, and Lioncor Developments (“the Consortium”) acquired a controlling 80% shareholding in the company which owns the glass bottle site for €200m. NAMA maintains a 20% minority interest. The development of the site) will be undertaken by the Consortium.
A condition of the planning scheme, as modified by An Bord Pleanála on 9 April 2019 is the provision of 15% social and affordable homes on this site in addition to the 10% statutory under Part V arrangements.
On 21 July 2021 the consortium submitted a planning application to Dublin City Council (DCC) for Phase 1 to construct 600 apartment units including 90 affordable housing apartments and 62 social housing apartments. The social and affordable housing is provided in accordance with Objective H7 of the Planning Scheme. DCC issued a decision on 16 September 2021 requiring the applicant to revert to the planning authority with further information on nine matters outstanding.
Using all the delivery tools available to it, my Department remains committed to working with DCC, any relevant Approved Housing Bodies and the receiver and/or developers of the SDZ area to progress this site, subject to agreement on all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money aspects.
