Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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535. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the process involved in releasing funds and agreeing the proposal for 100% social and affordable housing on the Shanganagh Castle site in Shankill, County Dublin; the way in which the promised announcement of an affordable housing scheme relates to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38639/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The development of major local authority residential sites in Dublin, where undersupply and affordability issues are being experienced most acutely, is a major priority for the Government. We are working with all Dublin local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC), to see their sites brought forward as quickly as possible, with the optimum tenure mix and ensuring the greatest value for money for the taxpayer. It is, of course, in the first instance, a matter for the local authority and its elected members to agree the optimal approach to development and financing.

Shanganagh Castle is an excellent site, close to amenities and public transport and it is very positive that the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council Members have come together, on a cross-party basis, with a view to achieving the optimal housing outcome for this site which can deliver over 500 new homes on a mixed-tenure basis.

In terms of affordable housing for purchase, it can be pursued in accordance with the provisions of Part V of the Housing Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2009, which are now commenced. Affordable housing for rental can be pursued under the cost rental option being piloted on two sites in DLRCC and Dublin City Council. Significant modelling of these approaches have been carried out by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), working with local authorities and my Department. In addition, my Department has engaged extensively with the European Investment Bank (EIB) with regard to exploring financing options and also leveraging the Bank's vast experience and knowledge in developing and supporting public housing projects in other Member States. Local authorities have also engaged directly with the EIB for the same purpose.

I understand that DLRCC is currently working with the NDFA to financially model and compare the optimal development approaches for the Shanganagh Castle site. I look forward to receipt of a report from the Council, once this work has been finalised. For my part, I have made it clear that direct Exchequer funding will be provided for any social housing element of this mixed-tenure development.

To further support the delivery of affordable housing on such local authority sites, additional funding is being provided for enabling infrastructure via the Serviced Sites Fund. When local authority co-funding is included, an overall minimum investment of €100 million will be provided over the next four years to those sites that require infrastructural investment in order for them to be brought into use for affordable housing. At this point, applications for funding under the Serviced Sites Fund have been received in my Department and are currently being assessed. While the Shanganagh site was not included by DLRCC at this time, it may feature in a submission under a future call for proposals, once the infrastructural master-plan is available.

Finally, Woodbrook-Shanganagh is also a designated ‘major urban housing development site’. In recognition of this, I am keen to support its development and have committed funding of just over €4m under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund to build public infrastructure which will open up the site for early development.

My Department and I will continue to work with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on the development of this mixed-tenure housing project at Shanganagh Castle, to help ensure the optimal delivery outcome.