Written answers
Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Housing Provision
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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811. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to consider using the Old Cork Prison site for affordable and social housing as well as a community hub that supports the arts and community groups while respecting the history of the area and creating a tourist attraction in the area. [1273/24]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Report on Relevant Public Lands published by the LDA in March 2023, identified land at the former Cork Prison as a site which could potentially be repurposed and utilised to develop affordable and social housing.
My Department undertook a series of stakeholder engagements with site owners identified within that report, including officials from the Department of Justice, in relation to the site at the former Cork Prison. Recommendations on the individual sites identified in the Report are currently being considered.
I note also that the LDA are actively developing and delivering large scale schemes of affordable and social homes on State lands in other areas of Cork. For example, construction work is underway at the former St Kevin's Hospital site in Cork City, where 265 new homes are to be delivered.
With regard to potential future uses of state property for the arts, community groups or the creation of tourist attractions, this will be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
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