Minister hails local government role in housing drive
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Surveying work to restore two vacant units at Derrylurgan, Ballyjamesduff, were (from left): Cllr Trevor Smith (FG); Deputy Brendan Smith (FF); Michael Hyland, contractor; Eoin Doyle, Director of Services, Housing, Cavan County Council; Cathaoirleach, Cllr Clifford Kelly (FF); Senator Diarmuid Wilson (FF); Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke (FG); John Wilson, senior engineer, Housing Construction, Cavan County Council; Tommy Ryan, Chief Executive, Cavan County Council; Gavin Reilly, Housing Construction, Cavan County Council and Deputy Niamh Smyth (FF). PHOTO: Lorraine Teevan LORRAINE TEEVANImage 2 of 2
Observing progress on new-build social housing at Éanach Lao, Butlersbridge, were (from left): Deputy Brendan Smith (FF); Niall McGaughran, Crosserlough Construction; Brendan Smith, Crosserlough Construction; Jim McGaughran, Crosserlough Construction; Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF); Cathaoirleach, Cllr Clifford Kelly (FF); Senator Diarmuid Wilson (FF); Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke (FG); Eoin Doyle, Director of Services, Housing, Cavan County Council; Tommy Ryan, Chief Executive, Cavan County Council; Cllr Peter McVitty (FG); Michael Fitzpatrick, Michael Fitzpatrick Architects; Senator Joe O’Reilly (FG); Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind); Cllr Madeleine Argue (FG); Tommy Reilly, Cavan County Council and John Wilson, senior engineer, Cavan County Council Housing Construction. PHOTO: Lorraine Teevan LORRAINE TEEVANMinister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke, has hailed the role of local authorities and local construction firms in delivering vital social housing projects during a visit to Cavan on Friday.
During his visit to Cavan, Minister Burke visited a new development in Butlersbridge, witnessed the restoration of vacant properties in Ballyjamesduff, and was present as contracts were signed for a further 16 units in Cavan Town and Kingscourt, with all work being carried out by local contractors.
In total, Cavan County Council and partner approved housing bodies are currently overseeing the construction or renovation of over 200 housing units in the county, with an investment of almost €30 million. Of this, projects worth €17 million are being delivered by local contractors, providing an added boost for the local economy, as well as delivering on the Government’s 'Housing for All' programme targets.
Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Clifford Kelly (FF), welcomed Minister Burke to Cavan: “Local government is at the heart of so much good work in our nation; from emergency services, to climate action, from pandemic response to community development, and of course, in the key area of housing provision. I am delighted to welcome Minister Burke to Cavan to witness first-hand how Cavan County Council is delivering on behalf of the people of Cavan.”
Visiting the Éanach Lao development at Main Street, Butlersbridge, where County Cavan contractor Crosserlough Construction is delivering six new homes, Minister Burke commented: "I am delighted to come to Cavan today to see the high-quality work being undertaken by Cavan County Council across the spectrum of local authority services. My department is supporting Cavan County Council to develop vital infrastructure, from much-needed social housing to emergency service provision, as well as unlocking Cavan's rich heritage potential, and today's visit has made it clear that this partnership is delivering real results for the people of Cavan."
Minister Burke also visited Derrylurgan, Ballyjamesduff, where work is ongoing by local firm Hyland Construction to return two vacant properties to the housing stock, with a total of 60 properties undergoing renovation at present.
Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Tommy Ryan, noted that the voids programme is a significant element of the council’s housing strategy. “Addressing vacancy and the efficient use of existing stock are key pillars of the Government’s Housing for All plan, and our Housing Construction Team and contractors such as Michael Hyland are working incredibly hard to turn around vacant properties and restore them to our stock,” he said.
During Minister Burke’s visit, Cavan County Council also signed contracts with Cavan Town based construction firm Sandar Construction for the provision of 13 social housing units and a further three units in Kingscourt.
Cavan County Council Director of Service for Housing, Eoin Doyle, said: “Cavan County Council recognises the provision of social housing is one of the great challenges facing the state and has significantly ramped up its housing programme in line with the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ policy”.
“The significant progress that has been made to date could not have been achieved without the great skill and dedication of our staff, our contractors, the assistance of Government, and the continued support of our elected members,” said Mr Doyle.
With local authorities set to play a key role in the delivery of the Government’s new ‘Housing for All’ strategy 2021-2030, Cavan County Council is committed to maintaining and building upon the great progress made on advancing its ambitious housing programme thus far, with a target of delivering 490 units of new build accommodation over the next five years.