Led by KORE Retrofit, Tuath Housing is proud to be a part of the Irish segment of the Circular Reno project. The first retrofit of a Tuath residents’ home, using off-site manufactured low-carbon Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) wall panels, marks a significant milestone in the initiative.
These panels, produced at KORE Retrofit’s factory in Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan, were transported directly to the site and installed on the external walls, demonstrating the efficiency of modern construction methods.
This retrofit is the first of ten Tuath homes to receive substantial energy upgrades, aligning with our commitment to sustainability and innovation. In addition to the EPS panel, the home now features:
Demand control ventilation: Enhances indoor air quality and energy efficiency by regulating airflow based on occupancy and air quality.
Heat pump with 7 new radiators: Provides efficient and sustainable heating throughout the home.
2 zoned heating controls: Allows for precise temperature management across different areas of the house.
New triple glazed windows and doors: Improves insulation and reduces energy loss.
Cavity wall insulation: Adds an extra layer of thermal protection.
2kW solar PV system: Generates renewable energy, reducing the home’s carbon footprint and energy costs.
We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable housing solutions in Ireland, demonstrating the potential of low-carbon construction materials and innovative retrofitting techniques. We look forward to continuing the successful implementation of Circular Reno, a transformative initiative under the Sustainability Interreg North-West Europe programme.
Last week, participants of a 10-week Hairstyling & Barbering Programme showed their newfound skills through catwalks and moodboard presentations at their graduation.
The aim of the programme, a collaboration between HairTogether & Tuath, was to combine personal development, creativity and wellbeing through hairstyling and barbering.
We offered the course, which was made possible through the Housing Finance Agency’s Social Investment Fund, to young residents aged 14-17 based in North Dublin. Throughout the programme, the young students learned skills and techniques in relation to hairdressing and barbering while being encouraged to understand the importance of their mental health.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the HFA for funding and support.
Thank you also to HairTogether, barbers, hairdressers and the psychotherapist who supported the students over the ten weeks.
On Tuesday 9th July, Tuath’s James’s Place East office in Dublin 2 received the Smarter Travel Mark at Bronze Level from the National Transport authority.
On Tuesday 9th July, Tuath’s James’s Place East office in Dublin 2 received the Smarter Travel Mark at Bronze Level from the National Transport authority.
The Smarter Travel Mark was received in recognition of Tuath’s commitment to changing attitudes and behaviours regarding walking, cycling and public transport usage. This has been achieved by implementing measures that facilitate, support and encourage sustainable travel options for our workforce and visitors.
Tuath received this award in recognition of initiatives that encourage sustainable travel to and from the office, including:
Promoting public transport, walking & cycling through improved information available and facilities for walkers and cyclists, including updated sustainable travel options on theTuath website.
Improved facilities for cyclists including covered and secure bike parking, showers and a bike puncture repair kit.
Sustainable travel communication plan.
Work policies to promote sustainable travel.
Participation in challenges and promotions like ‘Walktober,’ ‘Marchathon,’ and National Bike Week.
Sean O’Connor, Tuath CEO, on receiving this award:
‘I am delighted to confirm that Tuath Housing – James’s Place East office, has achieved the Smarter Travel Mark at Bronze level. This recognition highlights our commitment to sustainable travel initiatives and shows the importance we place on promoting active and sustainable transport. Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this significant milestone. We will continue to work together towards a greener, more sustainable future.’
Following the awarding of the Bronze Smarter Travel mark, Tuath will continue its commitment to sustainable travel for employees and visitors by supporting the choice of environmentally friendly transport options in the coming months.
Make sure to check out how visitors can get to the Tuath office sustainably here.
Results from a survey carried out during Quarter 2 in 2024 have just been published, detailing resident’s experiences with the way Tuath delivers key services and maintains their homes.
Results from a survey carried out during Quarter 2 in 2024 have just been published, detailing resident’s experiences with the way Tuath delivers key services and maintains their homes. Tuath is delighted to announce that over eight out of ten residents are satisfied with the overall service provided by Tuath Housing (83%).
Carrying out this survey is just part of the work Tuath Housing does to involve residents in developing services. As well as publishing the results of the survey, Tuath Housing plans to put the findings to good use by working with residents to further improve the services provided to them.
Please click on the image below to view the Tuath Housing Resident Satisfaction Survey Q2 2024.
2,482 homes delivered across Ireland amidst unprecedented achievements
Bob Jordan, CEO of The Housing Agency, officially launched the report at Tuath’s Dublin Office on James Place East, with attendance from government officials, statutory bodies, local authorities, and professionals in the social and affordable housing sectors.
Tuath Housing Annual Report’24
Tuath Housing, one of Ireland’s largest approved housing bodies, worked in partnership with its many stakeholders to deliver a record 2,482 homes in 2023, providing housing for over 7,000 people across 16 local authorities nationwide. The organisation reported an impressive annual income of €134 million. Additionally, 66 new staff members were hired, bringing the total workforce to 215 employees across five offices nationwide.
The report highlights significant achievements, including the addition of 2,482 new homes, bringing the total number of homes under management to 13,000. Tuath continued its commitment to cost rental housing, delivering over 450 cost rental homes to date with an additional 2,000 coast rental homes in the pipeline. Cost rental provides secure, long-term rental options for middle-income earners ineligible for social housing supports.
Tuath Housing Annual Report’24
Financial resilience was a cornerstone of Tuath’s success in 2023, with €406 million invested in building and acquiring new homes. The historical cost value of the housing stock stands at €1.9 billion, reflecting robust financial health. Tuath also secured the first Credit Union debt facility of €25 million, reinforcing its financial stability.
Sustainability was at the forefront of Tuath’s efforts, marked by the completion of energy upgrade works on 185 homes and participation in the Circular Reno project, a European Union-funded initiative focused on scalable biobased deep energy retrofit packages. These initiatives demonstrate Tuath’s commitment to creating environmentally friendly and sustainable communities.
Currently, Tuath has 5,000 homes in its pipeline, working with its partners to invest in people, places, and communities by providing more homes and greater choice.
Tuath Housing Annual Report’24
Bob Jordan, CEO of the Housing Agency, expressed his support for Tuath Housing’s achievements, emphasising the critical role of approved housing bodies in addressing Ireland’s housing needs.
Tuath Housing Annual Report’24
Prof. Paddy Gray, Chair of Tuath’s Voluntary Board of Directors, stated, “Tuath is a people-driven organisation, committed to first-class customer service. This annual report showcases our achievements, hard work, and investment in 2023, ensuring the continuation of social and affordable housing delivery into the future.”
CEO of Tuath Housing, Sean O’Connor, commented, “We are thrilled to launch our 2023 Annual Report and share the progress and success we’ve achieved over the past year. Despite challenges posed by inflation and the rising cost of living, we have remained committed to our mission of providing high-quality housing to those in need. The report reflects the dedication of all Tuath staff, supported by our experienced and dedicated voluntary board.”
Tuath’s Community Funding Continues to Empower Local Projects and Help Build Sustainable Communities
A highlight of Tuath’s commitment to building vibrant and sustainable communities is the Tuath Housing Community Fund. Each year €10,000 is invested through the Community Fund to support projects where Tuath residents live. Applications can be made for €250 or up to €1,000.
In 2024, the Community Fund was increased to €25,000 in line with the increasing demand from communities. Residents’ Groups can apply annually for financial support from this fund, providing them with the means to undertake projects that contribute to the well-being of their communities.
This year, 19 community projects were supported through the fund such as Residents Groups, Family Resource Centres, Tusla-Child & Family Support Network, Youth Centre and many area based local support services to our residents. We supported local communities through funding which has a significant impact on the well-being and overall quality of life for the people living there.
By investing in local services and resources, organisations like Tuath Housing Community Funds can help to strengthen community bonds, promote togetherness, and build more sustainable communities.
Check out some of the groups below that received funding through this years Tuath Community Fund:
Better FinglasLets Grow TogetherKnightsbridge Residents AssociationFinglas Youth Resource CentreBorris Meadows Community Group
Communities Receive Library Boxes as Part of World Book and Copyright Day Celebration
Tuath staff, residents, local Gardaí and staff from Dublin Libraries at Burnell Place, Dublin for the celebration event to mark World Book and Copyright Day
Tuath Housing marked World Book and Copyright Day on April 23rd with a network of events promoting literacy and community engagement across developments in Cork, Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare. On the day, several community library boxes were unveiled as part of a wider effort to encourage reading and learning, particularly among younger residents.
Member of An Gardaí reading to a young resident at Burnell Place, Dublin
The initiative was the result of wider collaboration between Tuath and several organisaton partners. To produce the boxes, Tuath teamed up with PACE (Pathways to Accessing Community Employment), a voluntary organisation dedicated to supporting individuals reintegrating into society after involvement with the criminal justice system.
Participants in the PACE initiative produced the Libraries for World Book and Copyright Day celebrations
In addition to PACE, Tuath collaborated with children’s book charities, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), and local libraries to ensure a diverse and engaging collection of reading materials for the community library boxes. This effort also included encouraging residents to sign up for local library memberships, strengthening connections between Tuath developments and already established community resources.
Young resident in Wicklow with her new book
Children’s Books Ireland generously donated 30 books to be shared among the schemes, while Coolock local library contributed a substantial number of books. The Community Gardai also showed their support at the events, while at Stepaside in Dublin, Dundrum Library staff were on site to sign up attendees also. In Meath, Navan Library generously donated books for younger attendees while at Arus Mhuire in Cork, residents swapped books and donated for the community library box.
Tuath Tenant Engagement Officer Amanda McDonnell (Left) with staff from Dundrum Libraries at the Woodside, Dublin event
At all the events, residents were encouraged to ‘Bring A Book & Take A Book’. We hope this initiative will give residents direct access to reading material and also provide an opportunity to share their much-loved books with their friends and neighbours in the community.
Residents of Arus Mhuire, Cork (Left) and Tuath staff, residents and Meath County Council (Right) celebrate World Book and Copyright Day
Tuath launched the Year 1 Monitoring Report for the Tuath 2022-25 Tenant Engagement Strategy at events across Dublin on Tuesday 26 March.
Report Launch
The report highlights the events and initiatives facilitated by residents and employees at Tuath throughout 2023 which work towards the goals of the strategy. The strategy endeavours to involve, enable, communicate with, build, integrate, embed and empower residents through positive connection, communication, consultation and support.
Report Launch
Tuath would like to thank all teams in Tuath, residents, residents’ groups, local authorities, community partners, interagency organisations and all those who have transformed the Tuath vision into reality, creating an environment where tenant engagement is not just a strategy but a way of life.
Issue 4 of the Housing Insight Series on office-to-residential conversion developments was launched today. The paper, published by the Housing Agency, features case studies from Tuath Housing office retrofit developments.
Using case studies from the awarding-winning office-to-residential developments Parkwest Plaza, Dublin 12 and Springville House, Cork City, the paper highlights how office retrofit conversion projects contribute to the development of sustainable communities and that repurposing vacant buildings can save up to 73% in embodied carbon when compared to a demolition and re-build project. The study further highlights that collaboration is a key component of successful conversion projects.
Housing Insights Issue 4
The two featured Tuath developments are an example of a sustainable housing solution which can help to regenerate areas suffering from vacancy and dereliction. Parkwest Plaza, overall winner for ‘Best Large Housing Development for Families’ and ‘Best Creative Delivery, Supply and Collaboration’ at the ICSH 2023 Awards was the first office retrofit development at Tuath. The conversion of a four-story office block, derelict for over 20 years in to a five-story 86 apartment building was funded through Capital Advanced Leasing Facility (CALF) and Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) funding with private finance from AIB’s Social Investment Fund.
Parkwest Plaza, Dublin 12
Springville House, National Property Awards ‘Social Housing Development of the Year’ 2024 and winner of ‘Excellence in Housing Innovation’ at the 2024 ICSH Awards is a ‘Rightsize’ development for residents over sixty years of age looking to move from their current property to one more suitable to their needs. A 1970s vacant office block was converted in to a 35-home residential building on behalf of Cork City Council through partial demolition and third floor construction on part of the existing office building and was funded through CALF and Housing Finance Agency (HFA) private finance.
Springville House, Cork City
Through this publication, Tuath and the Housing Agency hope to provide good practice learnings to other social housing providers to be able to replicate with similar innovative projects. These conversion developments and paper further highlight Tath’s strategic focus on sustainability, a core principle of Tuath’s development strategy. In particular, Tuath recognises that the most sustainable and green projects are those that are already built and that sustainability also refers to providing top quality, warm safe and comfortable housing and communities.
Further insight into the Tuath Housing Case Studies can be found here.
Tuath Housing today announced a groundbreaking development that will introduce Galway’s first cost rental homes.
L-R: Peter O’Connell, OCC Construction, Bronagh D’Arcy, Tuath Deputy CEO, Mayor of Galway Cllr. Eddie Hoare, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien, Tom Coyle, Lizamber Ltd., John O’Connell, OCC Construction at the sod turning of the Clai Mór development, the site of Galway’s first-ever cost rental housing development.
In collaboration with Galway City Council, the Housing Finance Agency (HFA), the Housing Agency, and the Department of Housing, this significant initiative underscores Tuath’s commitment to providing sustainable and affordable housing solutions across the country.
The Clai Mór development, comprising a total of 102 homes, is being constructed through modern methods of construction, utilising a prefabricated steel modular system designed and manufactured offsite. It represents a pivotal step towards addressing the housing needs of the people of Galway City. The diverse housing mix will include 28 cost rental homes, 33 CAS (Capital Assistance Scheme) homes, and 41 CALF (Capital Advance Leasing Facility) funded homes.
Tuath Housing works closely with local authorities and government agencies to deliver high-quality, affordable housing solutions across Ireland. The collaboration with Galway City Council, the HFA, the Housing Agency, and the Department of Housing exemplifies Tuath’s dedication to fostering partnerships that make a meaningful impact on communities.
Tuath Housing manages over 12,600 homes nationwide, accommodating more than 30,000 people. Tuath Housing’s dedicated office in Galway, staffed with a team of committed professionals, oversee all properties in the city and county areas, reflecting the association’s local approach to community development. Currently managing 275 homes in Galway, Tuath Housing continues to expand its footprint in the region.
This announcement follows Tuath’s successful delivery of over 370 cost rental homes, with an additional 1,500 homes in the pipeline. Tuath remains steadfast in its mission to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable housing options for communities throughout Ireland.
Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “This is a very exciting day for Galway, breaking ground on the City’s first affordable cost rental homes. Cost Rental is a new form of tenure in Ireland and it is key to addressing the affordability and security challenges faced by renters. The homes we’re delivering are at rates which are a minimum 25% below local market rates and are long-term secure rentals. We now have a healthy pipeline of affordable cost rental homes across the country and I want to thank Galway City Council, Tuath and our State Agency partners for bringing this much needed development to fruition.”
Mayor of Galway, Cllr. Eddie Hoare said: “This is a very positive development that will provide a further supply of social homes in Galway City. The development mix is really important too, with 28 Cost Rental homes, 41 CALF homes and 33 CAS homes included. The Cost Rental model is a very attractive option and I’m delighted to see a cost rental element included. I’d like to wish the team at OCC Construction the very best with the project and look forward to seeing families being allocated to these properties in the near future.”
Patricia Philbin, Interim Chief Executive of Galway City Council commented: “Galway City Council are delighted to be in a position to support the Approved Housing Body, Tuath, to deliver a high quality sustainable, inclusive community at Clai Mór on the Monivea Road, which includes a mix of social housing, as well as housing for specific categories of need, including for age-friendly housing and for persons with a disability and for the first time, affordable rented accommodation to people on middle incomes. This is in line with our Housing Delivery Action Plan, which sets out how Galway City Council and Approved Housing Bodies will provide new social and affordable housing options through direct build as well as turnkey and Part V arrangements to meet the targets in Housing For All.”
Barry O’Leary, CEO of the Housing Finance Agency said: “HFA customers like Tuath Housing have been working incredibly hard in recent years to boost Ireland’s supply of housing and we are glad to support this vital delivery of homes with long-term financing. We’re particularly proud to have facilitated Tuath’s delivery of the first cost rental homes in Galway. This is an important tenure of housing, providing secure homes for middle-income households who may struggle in the traditional rental market.”
Bronagh D’Arcy, Deputy CEO at Tuath Housing noted: “We are pleased to be at the forefront of delivering Galway’s first cost rental homes, in partnership with Galway City Council, the HFA, the Housing Agency, and the Department of Housing. This development is a testament to our commitment to creating sustainable and affordable housing solutions that positively impact the lives of individuals and families.”
Housing Insights Issue 4
