Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The ESB began work on Project Fitzwilliam, the redevelopment of the Fitzwilliam Street site, in June 2017. The project involves the construction of two separate grade A office blocks, an underground car park and the redevelopment of the ESB-owned Georgian buildings on Mount Street. The redevelopment will deliver one of the most efficient and sustainable office developments in Dublin city, with a near-zero energy rating, while sensitively respecting and enhancing the Georgian streetscape. The project involves the demolition of some existing buildings, the retention and refurbishment of a number of protected Georgian structures and the construction of a new seven-storey office block. It includes the complete renovation of 11 Georgian houses. The ESB will continue to occupy three of them, with eight houses returning to residential use, comprising 17 residential units. The house at No. 29 Fitzwilliam Street is one of those eight.

The ESB proposal comprises converting the museum building back to three residential units for individual and family ownership. The ESB has stated its belief that returning the eight houses to residential use is the most sustainable means of safeguarding the streetscape, which is the most critical heritage aspects of these buildings. The cluster of eight houses has the potential to become an exemplar scheme for Dublin to demonstrate successful city living. It is also delivering a residential scheme that showcases the standards and designs set out in the South Georgian Dublin Townhouse Re-Use guidance document published in March 2019 by Dublin City Council. A cohesive development of this type and scale offers a unique opportunity within the Georgian core. It addresses neighbour anxiety, modern hygiene and convenience standards, as well as building legacy issues, which were identified as key impediments to attracting owner-occupiers to Georgian houses for the Living City initiative.

The ESB Georgian House Museum at No. 29 Fitzwilliam Street opened to the public in 1991, as the Deputy said, to support Dublin's status as European Capital of Culture in that year. It was never envisaged that the exhibition would run forever. Since 1991, there is a changed landscape in terms of historical and heritage offerings, with many museums and heritage alternatives now available.

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