Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
342. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how he intends to ensure the delivery of affordable homes in the Poolbeg SDZ following the sale of NAMA's stake in the site to the developer. [33503/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on progress in respect of negotiations in respect of the proposed development at the former Irish Glass Bottle site at Poolbeg. [33631/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 360 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. A novel condition of the planning scheme for the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone, is the requirement that a further 15% of approved homes across the SDZ should be social and affordable homes, in addition to the 10% statutory social housing requirement under Part V arrangements. This requirement remains in place across the SDZ regardless of who the owner or developer of the site is.
The developers are engaging with Dublin City Council regarding the provision of the 10% Part V social housing in the first phase which involves 570 apartments.
My Department has been working with Dublin City Council and the developers of the Poolbeg SDZ area to progress an agreement on the delivery of the additional social and affordable housing in this first phase, subject to the SDZ requirements and value for money considerations.
I understand that NAMA held a percentage stake in the company that owns the site and has recently announced that it has sold its interest to the majority stakeholders. This has no effect on the SDZ requirement and engagement in relation to the SDZ requirement for additional social and affordable housing continues.
I am not in a position to comment further on the contents until an agreement is finalised but I note it is intended that an agreement on foot of the SDZ provision will not only address how many apartments will be taken under this first phase but that if not all the additional social and affordable homes are taken now, they will be provided over the course of the full development.
