Athy reps demand meeting after social housing project halted

Athy local representatives have called for an urgent meeting with the Minister for Housing and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage following a major setback to a key housing project in the area.

The motion, raised at a recent meeting of Athy Municipal District, comes after it was revealed that the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) has been instructed not to proceed with awarding the contract for Public Private Partnership (PPP) Bundle 3, which especially affects a social housing development at Ardew, Athy which was very close to construction.

“This development has a serious impact on proceeding with the construction of the 79 units at Ardrew,” cathaoirleach Aoife Breslin stated in her motion. 

She urged her fellow members to seek immediate dialogue with national housing authorities to resolve the issue.

“This is one of the weirdest decisions I have seen in a long time,” said cllr Breslin.

Even with planning approved and contractors onsite, the Department of Housing contacted local representatives to tell of their decision to halt development due to high costs.

“Surely to Jesus it is going to cost more. The cost is only going up,” said cllr Breslin.

“There are over 800 people on the housing list in Athy. People going back to 2011, 2012. I have people with sick children in overcrowded accommodation. The Minister needs to hang his head over this,” she said.

Cllr Breslin suggested that the Department meet with local representatives to explain the decision. 

“Do us the justice,” she said.

Cllr Veralouise Behan was in support of the motion, and called the decision “irresponsible and not fair”.

Also in support was cllr Brian Dooley, who said:  “It would be nice to get clarification on this as soon as possible.” 

Members hope to schedule a meeting with the government department sometime in the near future to discuss this decision in more detail.