merrion street

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Simon Coveney, T.D., has today, 20 July 2016, announced the allocation of funding of €25 million for the development by Dublin City Council of 100 new social housing homes as part of the regeneration at the Dolphin House estate, Dublin 8. The Minister was accompanied to the site by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Rebecca Moynihan and by local TD Catherine Byrne, Minister of State for Community and the National Drugs Strategy.
Minister Coveney said, “I am pleased to approve this very significant new social housing investment. Following the launch yesterday of the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, what we are announcing here today is a tangible example of the enhanced commitment to social housing delivery. In particular, it’s a commitment to delivery for communities who, with some legitimacy, may have felt up to now that their concerns and priorities weren’t getting the investment of State funds they deserved. This is one of a number of regeneration projects in Dublin City and one of three in the Dublin 8 area. We have seen the successful completion of Thornton Heights on the St Michael’s Estate and I know that work on the regeneration of the St Teresa’s Gardens estate is gaining momentum. This first phase of regeneration at Dolphin House will help to maintain the strong community spirit that exists here.”
He added, “Late last month, I launched the Dominick Street project on the north side of the city and now I get to launch a similarly ambitious project on the south side. They highlight the determination of both myself, as the Minister for Housing, and the Government to deliver on our promises with regard to urban regeneration. Social housing improvements do not just mean new housing, they also bring other benefits in the form of social, community and economic renewal. They demonstrate our commitment to individuals, to families and to communities to provide homes and environments of which they can be proud.”
The Minister continued: “Yesterday, along with the Taoiseach and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I launched Rebuilding Ireland, an Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which is made up of five pillars of concerted actions right across Government – addressing homelessness, accelerating social housing, building more homes, improving the rental sector and utilising existing housing. I am delighted to be here today to launch one of the most significant social housing regeneration projects that will be delivered under that Plan. This is one project in a truly ambitious social housing programme of 47,000 units that will be delivered with funding of €5.35 billion over the coming period out to 2021.”
Minister of State for Community and the National Drugs Strategy, and local T.D. for the area, Catherine Byrne welcomed the announcement – “I want to congratulate the residents and the Regeneration Board of Dolphin House for their steadfast commitment to this project. The €25 million announced by Minister Coveney this morning clearly shows the dedication of this Government to revitalising the area. It will enhance the living conditions in Dolphin House as well as providing much needed housing in Dublin 8.”
Speaking at the announcement, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin and local councillor, Rebecca Moynihan said, "I am delighted that the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has approved funding of €25m for the regeneration of Dolphin House. This is a long-awaited redevelopment project that will provide much-needed new homes for this area. It will be the beginning of a new phase in the life of this strong Dublin community."
ENDS