Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2023
306. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of meetings he had with Dublin City Council and with organisations (details supplied) in 2022 regarding the delivery of affordable housing on the Poolbeg SDZ site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3036/23]
View answerThe 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. 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 24 of March 2022, Dublin City Council approved an application for the first 570 residential homes at the former glass bottle site.
During 2022 I attended one meeting with Dublin City Council on 9 June in respect of the site, and also met with the Irish Glass Bottle Housing Action Group on 22 June.
My Department remains committed to working with Dublin City Council, 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. Despite the various challenges posed to delivery of social and affordable housing on this site, my Department have held a series of meetings with Dublin City Council officials and representatives of the Consortium, seeking to reach an agreement for consideration by Government.
