Tag Archives: Department of Housing

TECHNICAL tests are to be carried out on a number of Clare homes to prove the presence of defective blocks and make the case for the extension of a redress scheme for those affected by pyrite or mica. Following representations from the county council to the Department of Housing, a detailed report on the extent of the issue has been requested. Of the 40 householders who have joined a Pyrite/Mica Action Group, five will now have a detailed and costly core-sampling process carried out on their homes. The results will be used to develop a profile of the extent of the problem in Clare and to make the case for the extension of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme, which currently covers just Mayo and Donegal. “This is a fairly invasive process,” said Senator Timmy Dooley who hosted a virtual meeting between the action group and staff of the council. “It will prove what we know to be the case. …

A CLARE-based advocate for those seeking asylum in Ireland has said he remains hopeful that plans to end Direct Provision by 2023 will succeed, despite considerable opposition from the Department of Housing. South African national Bulelani Mfaco, who lives in Knockalisheen, is a member of an expert group, led by Dr Catherine Day. In October, the panel published a report calling for a new asylum system to be put in place over the next three years. The plan recommends housing applicants in a State-owned centre for three months, then helping them to move to own-door accommodation with the support of a scheme similar to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). While Mr Mfaco and fellow members of the advisory panel argue that the proposed system would lead to cost savings for the State and more humane living conditions for asylum seekers, there is considerable resistance from the Department of Housing. Submissions by the department said the plan has the potential to …

HOUSING applicants seeking affordable accommodation in South-East Clare have been dealt a major blow following confirmation plans have been shelved for a major multi-million Euro housing development in Meelick. The Clare Champion can reveal that Clare County Council is not actively pursuing the development of 70 housing units containing a mix of badly needed social and affordable houses on zoned land. According to official  correspondence from the Department of the Housing, which has been obtained by the ‘Champion, the council’s finance section confirmed in early March the local authority were not progressing the Meelick lands further. In June 2019, the council sought approval to borrow €6 million to purchase ten sites across the county for housing development. The Clare Champion has learned the loan application also included €2 million for unidentified sites as well as the Meelick site. The department decided it wasn’t possible to sanction a loan request for sites that had not been identified at the time of …

MORE than €7.8 million has been allocated for the construction of 40 new homes in Ennis, it has been confirmed. “Funding of €7,854,000 is being provided by the Local Authority Housing Construction Programme under Rebuilding Ireland, for the construction of 40 new Social Homes at Ashline on the Kilrush Road, Ennis,” according to Minister for Trade, Employment, Business EU Digital Single Market & Data Pat Breen “The housing scheme will be made up of 30 three bedroom homes, four four bedroom homes and six two bedroom homes. The Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government will issue the approval in principle to Clare County Council on Wednesday, November 29. “These 40 new homes will provide much needed housing for people on the housing waiting list in Clare. These will be comfortable homes suitable for families of all sizes,” he added. “The approval of this housing scheme is another move in the right direction towards tackling the housing shortage in our county …