Minister O’Brien officially opens 31-home age-friendly development in Lusk

On Friday 27th September, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh welcomed Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien to Lusk for the official opening of Kilhedge Gardens, a new housing development delivered by Tuath Housing Association in partnership with Fingal County Council. 

Kilhedge Gardens is an age-friendly scheme providing 31 new single-story homes. The development – delivered through direct build by Tuath on land owned by Fingal County Council – consists of 18 two-bedroom and 13 one-bedroom homes, with an additional communal facility area for residents. The new homes were funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage via the Capital Assistance Scheme, a funding mechanism for the delivery of homes for priority groups such as older persons. The architects for the project were Walsh Associates and the main contractor was M.L Quinn Construction. 

 

Tuath Kilhedge Gardens 27-09-24

 

In 2010, Tuath delivered its first homes in partnership with Fingal County Council at Garristown, Northwest Fingal and has since delivered over a 1000 homes in the County. With over 1,200 homes currently in the pipeline for the Council area, Tuath continues to work closely with the local authority. Tuath currently manages over 14,000 homes nationwide in every local authority area, housing some 37,000 people. 

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh said: “It gives me great pleasure to see this top-notch development from Tuath being opened to help deliver much needed age-appropriate homes for older people in our community. This is a superb new build in the heart of Lusk and I wish the residents all the very best in their new homes.” 

 

Tuath Kilhedge Gardens 27-09-24

 

Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage Darragh O’Brien, who turned the sod on the development in February 2023 commented: ‘’Today’s launch of 31 safe and secure homes for older persons is most welcome here in Fingal. Kilhedge Gardens includes both a communal facility for residents and close proximity to Lusk town centre – this scheme lives up to the ambition of Housing for All by successfully delivering high-quality, well-located homes that prioritise not only the safety and comfort of older persons but also economic, social, and environmental sustainability.’’ 

 

Tuath Kilhedge Gardens 27-09-24

 

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, noted: “We are delighted to partner with Tuath and the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage on these new homes and associated facilities for older people. This scheme allows us to move tenants, currently living in larger homes, to accommodation that is more appropriate to their current needs.” 

 

Tuath Kilhedge Gardens 27-09-24

 

Prof. Paddy Gray, Chair of Tuath’s Voluntary Board of Directors said:The provision of age-appropriate housing is an important aspect of Tuath’s delivery programme. As an age-friendly organisation, we are delighted to work in partnership with Fingal County Council on these 31 homes for older persons and the 1,200 homes in the development pipeline for the area. I would also like to thank the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for their support, with funding provided through the Capital Assistance Scheme.” 

Dublin City Council officially launches first Cost Rental homes in partnership with Tuath 

On Thursday, 26th September, Dublin City Council (DCC) and Tuath Housing officially launched the first cost rental homes in Dublin City.  

This new development delivered by DCC in partnership with Tuath Housing is one of the largest public housing projects in the country and will cater for the needs of over 500 citizens.  

Built by GEM Construction, De Verdon Place offers multiple community spaces, including rooftop gardens, an outdoor playground facility and Crèche. Families, couples and individuals have already begun moving into their new homes.  

 

Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Housing offering an affordable, long term and secure form of rental tenure, with rents 31% below the local area average. Rents for the cost rental homes start at €1395. 

  • 77 Cost Rental Homes (23 one-bed, 54 two-bed)
  • 161 Social Homes (25 one-bed, 136-two bed)

Councillor Naoise Ó Múirí on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Dublin said:  

“It’s great to see the delivery of Dublin’s first set of cost-rental homes happening right here on the Northside. I wish our new tenants every success and I hope that they will be very happy here. I look forward to Dublin City Council scaling up its work with development partners to deliver more cost rental, social and of course affordable purchase homes for our communities right across the City.” 

 

 

Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien, said:  

“It’s great to see the scale of Housing for All at work on the ground here today. This development will provide secure, high-quality homes which will make a real difference in the lives of hundreds of families and individuals. It’s clear that the hard work and effective collaboration between local authorities like Dublin City Council and Approved Housing Bodies such as Tuath is delivering the quantity and mix of homes which are needed to meet our ambitious housing targets. ‘’It’s especially significant that this development contains Dublin City’s first cost-rental homes. The first of many. Cost rental is a key element of Housing for All and has already been extremely successful in providing stable, affordable, long-term rental homes for individuals and families. A recent report which Tuath commissioned in partnership with our other AHBs, found that 84% of respondents described their Cost Rental tenancy as very secure, many of the residents noted that the quality and size of their cost rental home was far superior to their previous accommodation in the private rental sector and that over 70% report having a positive relationship with their AHB landlord.  As we continue to scale up cost rental delivery, we remain committed to providing affordable, sustainable and suitable housing options.” 

 

Richard Shakespeare, Dublin City Council, Chief Executive: 

“De Verdon Place is a fantastic new housing development with a great mix of tenure. The development is in a wonderful area on the Northside of Dublin with an array of amenities, facilities and services nearby. We would like to thank Tuath Housing for partnering with us to deliver De Verdon Place development. Finally, I’d like to warmly extend my best wishes to all the new residents as they embark on this exciting new chapter of their lives in their new homes. 

 

Paddy Gray, Chair of Tuath Housing association:  

“At Tuath, we are committed to providing secure, high-quality homes that are as affordable as possible for people across Ireland. We are delighted to be involved in the delivery of Dublin City Council’s first cost rental homes. As Ireland’s leading cost rental housing provider, we continue to support the Government and local authorities nationwide in the delivery of homes under this model. De Verdon is a prime example of working in partnership and emphasizes our dedication to expanding cost rental housing, ensuring long-term security, comfort, and high-quality accommodation in great communities.”