Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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263. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has met with a group (details supplied); if he is examining this model of providing affordable housing; his views on reports by it that the costs of construction are lower than that which is reported by the construction for profit industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52157/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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On 10 July 2017, I attended the "hand-over ceremony" for the first five of 49 affordable homes delivered by the Ó Cualann Co-Housing Alliance in Ballymun. I was impressed with what I saw and since then, I have met with O'Cualann’s representatives to discuss how the homes delivered in Ballymun can be delivered at greater scale. My Department has also arranged meetings involving O’Cualann, Dublin City Council and the Irish Council for Social Housing.

It is precisely for the purpose of scaling up delivery of this type of affordable housing that I am providing funding of €25 million, over 2018 and 2019. The funding will be made available to unlock local authority owned lands specifically for affordable housing, using models such as this which have already proven to be successful but are now needed at greater scale.  It is estimated that over 650 such new affordable homes could be facilitated under the new scheme.

I understand that, working with Dublin City Council, AIB and industry professionals, Ó Cualann delivered new 2-, 3- and 4-bed, A2 rated, quality homes with sales prices ranging from €140,000 to €220,000. Importantly, in terms of the model used, the Council provided serviced “ready to go” sites at very low cost, facilitating the affordable delivery and ultimate sales prices of the homes.  

My Department is meeting with the Dublin local authorities this week to discuss how the new scheme will operate, and I expect to be in a position to issue a call for proposals on this matter in early 2018.