FUNDING of €515,000 towards the development of short term homeless accommodation at the site of the former Dominican Priory in Athy has been committed by the Department of Housing and work is to begin this week..
The commitment from Minister for Housing Simon Coveney follows his recent visit to Athy according to South Kildare Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon.
“Following his recent visit to view the former Dominican site at Athy, Minister Coveney has confirmed to me today that funding of €515,000 has been approved for the development of eight short term homeless units in the former Priory, to include site costs. The funding will be used by Kildare Co Council to complete the renovation of the priory into eight short-term homeless units for families.”
Deputy Heydon says that he has been advised that the project is ready to proceed.
“I am advised by senior Kildare Co Council officials that they are now ready to proceed, with works to commence this week. The units when completed in the near future, will be managed by the Peter McVerry Trust to directly alleviate homelessness in South Kildare. This development is part of an exciting larger plan to develop the multi-use site of the old Dominicans. It is envisaged that the site will include community, recreational, sporting, arts and housing elements when completed which will add greatly to the facilities available in Athy.”
Tadhg McDonnell Kildare County Council, Francis Doherty of the Peter McVerry Trust, Mayor of Kildare Cllr Ivan Keatley, Peter Carey, CEO Kildare County Council, Deputy Martin Heydon and Minister for Housing Simon Coveney on his recent visit to the Dominican church site in Athy
Kildare Co Council Director of Housing Services Tadhg welcomed progress at the Dominican site. “Kildare Co Council are very pleased with the announcement by the Minister, and will seek to advance the construction works as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile the development in Athy will also include a garden which will be designed as part of a competition.
Celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin and Kilsaran Home have announced details of the Kilsaran Student Garden Competition. The winner of the competition will receive a cheque for €3,000 for and they will also see the garden they design built as part of the Peter McVerry Trust project at the Dominican’s site in Kildare.
