merrion street

Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government is today (17 June, 2016) in Derry to view social housing schemes across the city. Minister Coveney was invited by the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Foyle colleagues Mark Durkan MP and Mark H Durkan MLA to view the various schemes.

Minister Coveney was also due to attend a function in Belfast on the EU UK Referendum and this was cancelled as mark of respect to the family and friends of Jo Cox MP. Minister Coveney extended his deepest sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues in the Labour Party.

Minister Coveney who is currently preparing his Action Plan on Housing is in the North to see how social housing is progressed there as they have an extensive building programme underway. ‘We have a dysfunctional housing market in the South and at the heart of the difficulties is the lack of supply and in particular slow social housing output. I am anxious to learn any lessons from the experience in the North and how we might ramp up the social housing outputs as a matter of urgency.” said the Minister.

The Minister noted that his visit was taking place on the day when the Special Oireachtas Committee on Housing had published their report. Minister Coveney thanked the members of the Committee for their hard work in completing the report in the tight time-frame provided. He looks forward to examining the detail in the report and notes that the recommendations will be examined in the context of his preparations of the Housing Action Plan.




INTINERARY
The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Foyle colleagues Mark Durkan MP and Mark H Durkan MLA will be in attendance when the Minister visits social housing schemes across the city. 11:45


12:00 – 12:20 Apex Housing – Ray Forbes (Director of Development & Procurement)
Ballymagowan & Magowan Park, Creggan

12:35 – 12:55 Fold Housing – Bridie Doherty (NW Area Manager)
Skeoge

13:10 – 13:30 Habinteg Housing – Grainne Robinson (Housing Manager)
Riverview & Damien House



15:15 – 15:40 Photoshoot at Peace Bridge / Guildhall