Rebuilding Ireland, the Government’s Housing Action Plan, has set out to meet housing needs through a variety of methods involving local authorities, approved housing bodies and the construction industry.
Cork County Council will soon commence a county-wide major construction programme, having already delivered a scheme in Fermoy earlier this year. To enable housing delivery ahead of this, the Council has used an innovative Turnkey Housing Model. This involves the Council working with private developers to construct social housing on their own lands at various locations across the county.
Turnkey housing has enabled the completion of 43 houses, which are fully occupied with a further 71 expected by the end of this year. The Turnkey programme will continue into 2018 with new schemes expected to deliver 274 new social houses.
Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Mr. Eoghan Murphy TD today visited one of the Council’s latest housing schemes at An Faill, Cul Ard, Carrigtwohill. Developed by Murnane & O’Shea, An Faill consists of 29 houses and was approved by the Department in June 2016 at a total cost of €6.38 million.
Speaking at the visit, Minister Murphy highlighted how turnkey housing is working,
“An Faill is a key example of how turnkey housing can expedite the delivery of social housing in areas of high demand while also stimulating the local construction market. My Department have recently approved a follow on Turnkey project in Carrigtwohill which will provide an additional 25 units. But turnkey projects are not the only solution being provided in Cork. So far in Cork this year, 195 units have been provided across a range of measures including Turnkeys, Voids and Acquisitions at a cost of around €32m. I am heartened to see this level of commitment and am confident that Cork will continue and indeed improve on this.”
Currently, 18 properties are completed and currently tenanted or under offer at Ard Faill. The remaining properties are currently being snagged and are advertised on Cork County Council’s Choice Based Letting System.
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government have also approved three new schemes, 20 Houses at St Mary’s Road, Dunmanway, 6 at Claragh Road, Millstreet and 7 at Downeen Cross, Rosscarbery.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Declan Hurley has warmly welcomed this progress,
“Turnkey Housing will continue to complement Cork County Council’s ambitious construction programme and the new developments approved will provide much needed social housing in areas of high demand.”