Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I was on the site with the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, when I held the housing brief. This represents a huge opportunity to develop something significant in the area.

This morning, the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, met the St. Michael's estate regeneration team. He also met other residents last week along with the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. The St. Michael's estate regeneration team proposal, "Our Community a better way: campaign for fair rental homes", was launched on 26 April in Buswell's Hotel. It comprised 300 homes, 150 of which were social and 150 were cost-rental. The State would fund the capital cost of all units at a cost of €56 million. There would be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments costing on average €175,000, €183,000 and €200,000, respectively. Average monthly rent on a cost-rental basis would be €900.

Dublin City Council is proposing a minimum of 420 units on the site, which is significantly more than the fair rent homes proposal has envisaged. It is important on key pieces of land such as the St. Michael's estate site that we make optimum use of the land assets available. Aside from the construction costs of whatever development takes place, it is critical we so not have a loss of opportunity because of density that is too low. Dublin City Council proposed 30% social housing, 126 units; 20% affordable housing, 84 units; and 50% private homes, 210 units. The first phase of the social housing element, which is 52 living-with-care homes, has housing with the support of the pilot project under Rebuilding Ireland. It has been approved by the capital assistance scheme, a funding of €15 million plus a contribution of €450,000 from the Department of Health towards additional communal facilities.

Dublin City Council intends to develop the lands primarily for residential development with commercial, retail, enterprise and community uses as outlined in the Dublin City Council city development plan. Proposals for interested parties can be assessed as part of the public procurement process to develop the land.

This is a really significant site. We need to proceed with the construction project as soon as we can. Dublin City Council has a view on the way to move forward. I know there are varying views among many people living in the community I the area. The Government intends to prioritise the best approach here that can deliver housing units to ensure we have a mixed-tenure community with social, affordable and private housing to create the right communal environment on the site.

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