Written Answers Nos. 646-660
646. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the concerns outlined; the measures that his Department is taking to address these issues. [40090/22]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All is focused on addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing stock. Under that Pathway, the Government committed to introducing a specific Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, to be delivered by Local Authorities, to support the refurbishment of vacant properties and for the provision of serviced sites for housing to attract people to build their own homes, enabling people to live in small towns and villages in a sustainable way.
The Fund was launched on the 14 July 2022 and is initially focused on the grant for vacant property refurbishment. Applications for grants to refurbish vacant and derelict properties in towns and villages can now be made to local authorities.
As set out in Housing for All, it is intended that in the future the Fund will also address the provision of Serviced Sites by local authorities in towns and villages which people can buy and then self-build upon. My Department is working on this and I expect to be in a position to launch this aspect of the Fund in the near future.
647. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review correspondence from Monaghan County Council (detail supplied); if he will address the concerns outlined; and the measures that his Department is taking to address these issues. [40093/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Funding of €81.25 million is available nationally in 2022 which is an increase of €6.25 million on the 2021 provision of €75 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
My Department notified all local authorities of their individual allocations for the scheme on 28 March 2022, with Monaghan County Council receiving a combined allocation of €1,303,725. This allocation was comprised of €1,042,980 Exchequer funding and €260,745 to be funded from the local authority's own resources.
My Department works closely with local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of the available funding. Monaghan County Council sought an additional allocation of €696,275 under the scheme, comprising of €557,020 Exchequer funding with the remaining €139,255 to be funded from own resources. My Department issued approval for this request to Monaghan County Council on 28 June 2022.
In addition, a review of the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability is currently underway in my Department. The review is to be completed by the end of 2022.
648. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an advisory group will be setup to advise victims of defective housing on the problems that they are facing and the options that are open to them. [40108/22]
View answer665. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received the report from the Working Group on Building Defects; if so, when he intends to publish it; and if he has not yet received it, when he expects to receive same [40234/22]
View answer668. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the progress of the report of the independent Working Group on Defective Homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40346/22]
View answer756. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of individual properties in the Dublin south west area that were identified by the working group to examine defects in housing; and when he expects to publish their report. [41399/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 648, 665, 668 and 756 together.
The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of addressing building defects. These include a commitment to examine defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing’s report "Safe as Houses?" and to assist owners of latent defect properties, by identifying options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance. Housing for All, the Government’s national plan on housing to 2030, reiterates these commitments.
In this regard, I established a working group to examine defects in housing. This working group has been meeting monthly since March 2021 (except for August). In addition, regular subgroup meetings have taken place to advance elements of the work.
The group’s terms of reference, adopted in May 2021, are focused on fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The full terms of reference of the Working Group are to:
1. Examine defects in housing having regard to the recommendations in Item 4 “Addressing the legacy of bad building and poor regulation” in Chapter 4 of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government report - ‘Safe as Houses? A Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection’.
2. Establish the nature of significant, wide-spread fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 – 2013 in Ireland through consultation with affected homeowners, homeowner representative organisations, owners’ management companies, relevant managing agents, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, industry stakeholders, insurance providers, mortgage providers and other relevant parties. Including such matters as:
- Identification and description of defect,
- Nature of defect – design, product, workmanship,
- Non-compliance with building regulations or actual damage,
- Severity/risk to life or serviceability of dwelling,
- Period of construction affected,
- Type of dwelling affected,
- Location of dwellings affected.
3. Establish the scale of the issue – estimate number of dwellings affected by the defects identified including those already remediated.
4. Consider a methodology for the categorisation of defects and the prioritisation of remedial action.
- In the case of defects with fire safety implications, consider how the framework for enhancing fire safety in dwellings can be applied to mitigate the risks arising from fire safety defects pending the remediation of defects and the Code of Practice for Fire Safety Assessment of Premises and Buildings, which is currently being developed by National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management.
5. Suggest mechanisms for resolving defects, in the context of the legal rights, duties and obligations of developers, builders, building professionals, insurers, mortgage providers, building control authorities, fire authorities, owners’ management companies, owner occupiers, renters and landlords, including:
- Technical options for the remediation of dwellings,
- Efficient means of carrying out work,
- individual dwellings or whole building approach,
- routine maintenance/refurbishment or remediation,
- Structures or delivery channels needed to facilitate resolution – advice and support.
6. Evaluate the potential cost of technical remediation options.
7. Pursue options on possible financial solutions to effect a resolution, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to identify options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance.
8. Report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the Examination of Defects in Housing.
The working group is close to finalising its report and I expect to receive it shortly. Once I receive the report I will give full consideration to its contents.
649. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of the budget allocation given from his Department to local authorities for the running of the retained fire service that was paid in salaries to members of the retained fire service in each of the years 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40130/22]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
Fire services are provided in Ireland by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, there are 31 fire authorities which provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Local authority fire services are delivered by approximately 3,300 professional, competent and highly committed personnel engaged at 217 fire stations nationwide, 197 of those stations are staffed by Retained firefighters.
The prioritisation of work and effective management of all resources is, in the first instance, a matter for Management in each of the fire services, based on their assessment of local needs and requirements.
In relation to the staffing requirements in each local authority, under the Local Government Act, 2001 it is the responsibility of each Chief Executive to employ such staff and to make such funding, staffing, recruitment and organisational arrangements as may be deemed necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of their local authority.
Detailed data on the proportion of local authority budgets that are paid in salaries to members of the retained fire service is not collected by, and consequently is not available in, my Department. The relevant information may be available directly from individual local authorities.
650. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to non-Irish citizens not qualifying for many of the first-time buyer schemes even if they are buying with an Irish citizen; the schemes that non-Irish citizens are eligible for; if he intends to widen the eligibility to non-Irish citizens for all schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40132/22]
View answerTwo schemes to support home purchases by first-time buyers are provided by my Department: the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, and also the Local Authority Home Loan. In addition, the recently launched First Home Scheme is administered separately as a joint venture between the State and participating mortgage lenders.
Eligibility for the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme is set under Section 10 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which states the requirement that 'each of the persons making the application has a right to reside in the State'. The same requirement is set for the Local Authority Home Loan under the Housing Loans Regulations 2021.
The First Home Scheme does not operate on a statutory basis, but the State has agreed with the participating mortgage lenders that the same eligibility criterion should apply as on my Department's schemes, that an applicant must have a right to reside in the Republic of Ireland.
This is set out in the First Home Scheme brochure at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/media/4nda0lnn/0827-first-homes-brochure_r14.pdf.
As can be seen, this rule does not depend on someone having Irish citizenship, but rather looks at whether someone has a legal right to reside in the State. This is a reasonable requirement, given that these schemes are designed to support people acquiring a home in which to reside.
It should be noted that the Help to Buy incentive is a scheme of the Department of Finance, administered by Revenue.
651. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 310 of 22 March 2022, if his Department took the necessary measures regarding serious negative impacts of high-density urban gull colonies on schools, schoolchildren and staff (details supplied); and the reason that he and his Department seem to be content to ignore the expert advice, submissions and evidence in proposing to provide advice and licences for such measures for schools negatively impacted by high density urban gull colonies if he did receive such explicit expert advice and submissions. [40133/22]
View answer652. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 310 of 22 March 2022, the way that he would expect any and all costs associated with the so-called deterrent measures mentioned in his previous reply to be met by all impacted schools regarding serious negative impacts of high density urban gull colonies on schools, schoolchildren and staff; and if he will address specific queries should such measures proved to be ineffective and a waste of time, money and effort as apparently expertly advised to his Department via his Consultative Committee on urban gulls in November 2019 et seq. (details supplied). [40142/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 651 and 652 together.
My Department does not provide funding for school buildings, that would fall under the remit of my colleague Minister for Education Norma Foley.
As outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 310 of 22 March 2022 there is a facility under Section 35 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 which allows licence applications to be made to apply to use a decoy, or an instrument or appliance, including electrical or other recording apparatus emitting or imitating birdcalls (including distress calls), intended for the purpose of repelling, scaring or capturing a protected wild bird. The expert advice received stated that these would need to be constantly monitored in order to be effective.
My Department has not received any applications this year for Section 35 licences for deterrent measures in relation to gulls on schools.
653. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have been in communication in recent years with any local authorities, for example Dublin City Council, other State organisations, for example the Office of Public Works, other non-State organisations, or individual citizens with regard to gull colonies committing persistent predatory acts on other wild bird species for example in St. Stephen’s Green and in the Phoenix Park given that serious harm is being caused to other species in lakes and ponds in Dublin city and several parklands; if will he provide copies of relevant correspondence; if he or his Department have been in communication with organisations or persons on this issue; and if he shares concerns that high density urban gull colonies appear to be causing extensive harm to other wild bird species. [40143/22]
View answerUrban gulls, primarily Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, are opportunistic species and have a wide diet. Their foraging strategies include both scavenging and predatory behaviours. Young waterfowl frequenting urban parks e.g. Mallard chicks can be predated by such gulls.
To date, my Department has not taken the view that intervention to disrupt this natural predator-prey dynamic in such urban parks is warranted from either a regional or national bird conservation perspective.
While my Department has not had correspondence with local authorities on the specific issue of gull colonies predating other wild bird species, the NPWS does maintain contact with Fingal County Council in relation to general issues around gulls such as raising awareness to remind people not to feed gulls in public spaces.
654. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the requirements that self-build homes need to achieve the 50% reduction in development levies for generating their own energy (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40146/22]
View answerDevelopment contributions provide critical resources to facilitate the provision of essential public infrastructure and facilities that support the implementation of local authority development plans. My role as Minister with regard to development contributions is to provide the necessary statutory and policy framework within which individual development contribution schemes are adopted by each local authority.
Section 48(2)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), provides that a development contribution scheme, applied by a planning authority in respect of its functional area, may make provision for payment of different contributions in respect of different classes or descriptions of development. The level of contribution, and the types of development to which development contributions should apply, including any exemptions from charging in specific circumstances if that is deemed appropriate, are therefore determined at local authority level, in accordance with the powers vested in elected members in relation to the adoption of local authority development contribution schemes.
Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned.
655. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if mortgage protection cover is an essential requirement in applying for a Rebuilding Ireland home loan; if there is any allowance for a potential applicant who cannot avail of mortgage protection due to health reasons. [40156/22]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.
The local authority mortgage protection insurance (MPI) scheme has applied to all house purchase loans approved by local authorities after 1 July 1986, including both the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan and the Local Authority Home Loan.
One of the conditions of the MPI scheme, which is a group policy, is that it is obligatory for all local authority borrowers who meet the eligibility criteria to join, and remain in, the scheme. A local authority housing loan applicant, who is not eligible for the local authority MPI scheme, must source a suitable comparable individual MPI policy from the market.
It is important to note that there are a number of differences between the local authority MPI scheme and standard MPI products available on the market. Most notably, the current local authority MPI covers mortgage repayments in case of borrower disability, which is not part of standard MPI. In addition, the local authority MPI scheme offers a single group rate per €1,000 sum assured to all participants in the scheme as opposed to standard MPI products that are individually priced based on a member’s age, among other factors.
In summary, the local authority scheme provides benefits not typically available under standard MPI products;
- Mortgage repayments are paid if there is a valid claim as a result of disability;
- Separate to life cover, an additional €3,000 is payable in the event of a member’s death
- Members are covered for death up to age 75, where as standard MPI cover usually ceases at the age of 65.
The scheme is subject to periodic review and competitive tendering in accordance with the terms of EU Directives relating to the award of public service contracts. This is to ensure that the most appropriate cover at the best value for money is secured for local authority borrowers over the entire life of their mortgages.
The most recent public procurement competition for the provision and administration of this MPI scheme was conducted by the Local Government Management Agency. The contract resulting from this open tender competition came into effect from 1 January 2022 and is due to expire on 31 December 2022. My Department will review the provision and administration of the MPI scheme prior to that date.
656. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider making it mandatory in relation to Residential Tenancies Board cases that in cases in which an estate agent is acting on behalf of the property owner when a case is taken by a tenant that the property owner should be at the hearing and available to answer questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40165/22]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
The service provided by the RTB is quasi-judicial and all of their mediators, adjudicators and tribunal members have independent decision-making powers, in the same way as judges have within the Court system. A decision made by an adjudicator can be appealed to a RTB Tenancy Tribunal and a decision of such a Tribunal may be appealed on a point of law to the High Court. Further information on appeals is available on the RTB website at the following link: www.rtb.ie/dispute-resolution
Section 109 of the RTA provides that the RTB, with the consent of the Minister, may make rules regarding the procedure to be followed in relation to a dispute under part 6 of the RTA. Paragraphs 7 and 13 of these rules specifically provide that a party is entitled to have a representative attend on their behalf at a hearing before a mediator, adjudicator or tenancy tribunal.
www.rtb.ie/images/uploads/Dispute%20Order%20Enforcement/Section_109_Rules_RTB.pdf
Section 105(3)(a) of the RTA provides that a tenancy tribunal may summons a witness to attend before it.
657. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing acquisition requests received to date from each local authority in tabular form, broken down by acquisition requests with a social housing support tenant in situ and acquisition requests whereby the property is vacant. [40173/22]
View answerUnder Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB). On 19 January my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities advising that social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHB Capital Advanced Leasing Facility acquisitions in 2022 would be focused on a number of priority areas, as follows:
- One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;
- Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and
- Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs;
Local authorities were also advised that limited acquisitions through the Capital Assistance Scheme will also be approved, subject to the available budget for specific vulnerable cohorts, such as housing for older people, accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless and for people with a disability.
On 20 April, a further circular letter issued to local authorities in relation to social housing acquisitions. The key purpose of this circular was to advise local authorities that I had reinstated the delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions which are: (i) in one of the priority categories set out in the January circular letter; (ii) are in line with acquisition cost guidelines; and (iii) can be completed during 2022. The reinstatement of delegated sanction will allow local authorities to respond more flexibility to secure acquisitions which support a household to exit or to prevent homelessness. It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity. Data for Quarter 1 2022 shows that 96 Acquisitions were delivered. This data is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
658. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commission specific guidelines for local authorities setting out the current thinking on the issue of defective blocks as an interim measure while the National Standards Authority of Ireland is undertaking its review of IS 464 (details supplied). [40174/22]
View answerFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Housed of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President. I have progressed this legislation to ensure that we can have the scheme ready for homeowners to access by the end of the year.
The purpose of this Act is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
The decision made by Government last November called for a number of reviews to be completed. This included a review of the I.S. 465:2018 standard and the consideration of the issue of other potentially deleterious material e.g. pyrrhotite and the impact, if any, on foundations.
I am aware of homeowners concerns in this regard and have asked NSAI to review I.S. 465 and carry out all necessary research as a matter of priority.
Once the necessary review has been concluded and any revised standard published I can confirm that the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme will be reviewed at that point having regard to any amended standard.
Guidelines were issued on 29 May 2020 to Donegal and Mayo County Councils to facilitate, promote and support a consistent approach to the operation and administration of the existing defective concrete blocks grant scheme.
On 25 February 2022 I issued further guidelines to both Donegal and Mayo County Councils in relation to the implementation of the three enhancements under the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 to amend the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020.
Guidelines to facilitate, promote and support a consistent approach to the operation and administration of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme are being drafted by my Department. It is intended that these will be issued to the relevant local authorities ahead of commencement of the enhanced scheme.
659. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable housing fund affordable houses delivered in each local authority to date in 2022; the purchase price of each size of home in each development; the full cost of each size home when the local authority equity stake is taken into account; and the household income eligibility for each size house in each scheme in tabular form. [40175/22]
View answerHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
2022 represents the first year of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. Significant funding has been secured and is being made available by Government to support delivery of affordable housing for purchase or for cost rental by local authorities, AHBs and by the LDA. In addition, the First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million.
A delivery target has been set for 2022 of just over 4,100 affordable homes for affordable purchase and cost rental across the various delivery streams. In implementing Housing for All, each local authority has now prepared a Housing Delivery Action Plan for 2022 to 2026. Local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need were asked to include planned affordable housing delivery in their Action Plans. I have also set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets for those local authorities.
The purchase price of affordable purchase homes varies from scheme to scheme having regard to the various costs associated with the scheme and is set by the local authority. The equity stake may vary from property to property.
Local authorities have recently been asked to begin collating information on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is currently done for social housing. It is intended that information on delivery across all delivery streams will be gathered by my Department and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on national quarterly delivery statistics later this year.
660. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has had any engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and-or the National Asset Management Agency on NAMA’s interest in a development (details supplied) with respect to the way that NAMA’s interest could be leveraged to secure genuinely affordable homes as required under the terms of the development; and if not, if he will initiate such engagements to ensure that there is no delay to the delivery of the affordable homes at this location. [40176/22]
View answer661. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his engagement with the National Asset Management Agency and the Minister for Finance on the issue of affordable home delivery at a site (details supplied). [40177/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 660 and 661 together.
The regeneration of Poolbeg West is an important step in the transformation of the Dublin Docklands area, with the potential to provide for 3,500 homes. 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. NAMA maintains a 20% minority interest in this company. 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 requirement under Part V arrangements.
On the 24th of March 2022, Dublin City Council approved an application for the first 570 residential homes at the former glass bottle site. Under the SDZ conditions this will yield 57 Social and 86 Affordable units.
My Department remains committed to working with all relevant stakeholders, and the developers of the Poolbeg SDZ area to progress this site, subject to agreement on all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money aspects and work is ongoing in this respect.
