In 2023, Tuath Housing launched its inaugural “New Horizon” Education Bursary. The funding provided forms part of Tuaths’ commitment under the Tenant Engagement Strategy 2022-2025 to support residents to partake in accredited or non-accredited courses, short or long-term. Funding provided varied from €250 to €1000. The overall funding was €20,000, all of the funding was allocated, the New Horizons Education Bursary received a positive engagement from Tuath residents.

Introduction

The new fund launched in May of 2023 across all of Tuath Housings social media platforms, Tuath Housing website and advertised in the Spring/ Summer residents’ magazine. A trusting relationship was built with residents and Tuaths Tenant Engagement team to assist residents with the application process. Residents expressed different opinions and expectations about starting and returning to education. These included boosting confidence and social skills, meeting new people, and enhancing their employability skills. Tuaths Tenant Engagement team helped with any additional supports required to support applicants. There was a positive response for the bursary, over 120 people expressed interest, whilst 80 applicants completed an application, and overall, 22 residents were approved the bursary.

Below is a summary of the application process, a breakdown of the courses and the funding provided to each applicant.

Application Process

Number of Enquiries and Submission Methods

Approximately 120 people expressed an expression of interest in the bursary. The advertisements for the bursary were on all Tuath social platforms and Tuath Housing website. There were also posters created with QR codes which were disseminated collectively by Housing Service Coordinators and the Tenant Engagement team to the residents whilst onsite.

There were various submission methods for applicants to apply:

• QR codes which gave the applicants as an option to scan and access application and apply directly online for education bursary.
• Alternative options were also accessible to applicants whereby they could get their applications sent through post or sent by email directly to their email account.

Application Response
Some of the applicants were residents and non-residents as well as applicants who did meet the course criteria. Below is a brief analysis of the applicants that expressed interest and put forward an application.3.

Application Analysis
Breakdown of expression of interest, total applications received, and total applications approved for bursary.

A. – Approval Statistics

• Expression of Interest: 120
• Total Applications: 59
• Residents Approved: 22

Below is a breakdown of applicants that were Ineligible for bursary.

B. – Ineligible Applicants

• Non-residents
• Applicants applied for funding for equipment and materials rather than course fees
• Some applicants were in receipt of government and other education funding
• Lack of correspondence after application submission did not return necessary documentation
• Some residents applying for the bursary next academic year 2024

C. – Eligible Applicants

The following table lists the various courses and college that the 22 residents have signed up to. The majority of funding was paid directly to educational institutions to pay full or partial fees for residents towards short- and long-term courses which are accredit and non-accredited.

Judging Panel
The Education Bursary panel consisted of one member of Tuath Board of Management and two Tuath Housing Managers. We would like to thank the judging panel for their time in assisting the Tenant Engagement team with the bursary process.

Conclusion
In 2023, the New Horizons Education Bursary proved to be an enormous success! Over 22 Tuath residents will benefit from funding that will help them progress on their personal and professional journey. We wish all of the recipients the best of luck this year.
In 2024, we will contact our residents to learn more about their experiences and how they are progressing with their educational journey. We will also open the 2024 bursary in two phases next year (January to May and August to November) due to the bursary’s overwhelming demand. Accessibility will be provided by a biannual bursary opening.

Tuath has doubled down on its commitment to sustainability with the inclusion of a separate key pillar in its Strategic Plan.

The establishment of this new Strategic Objective underscores Tuath’s dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainability. Sustainability, for Tuath, means achieving a harmonious balance between organisational growth, the delivery of homes, environmental care, good governance, ethical responsibility and social well-being for tenants, employees, and communities.

Business Plan ESG Commitment:

Tuath is actively embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) best practices into its operations. The business plan emphasises reducing our carbon footprint, ensuring good governance, and upholding social responsibility.

Tuath is developing a roadmap towards a lower carbon and sustainable future for both the organisation and tenants.

Key initiatives include:

1. Statutory Reporting Preparation
   • Tuath is preparing for statutory reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), becoming mandatory from 2026. The organisation is working with Deloitte to establish best practices for its first CSRD return.
2. ESG Reporting Framework
   • Tuath has established an ESG Reporting Framework, including targets and metrics, to collate data for future statutory reporting. This framework covers waste management, energy consumption, biodiversity impact, and more.
3. ESG Working Group and GREEN Team
   • An internal ESG Working Group and a staff member GREEN Team have been established, comprising senior management, board members, and staff representation. These teams focus on strategic and practical implementation of sustainability initiatives across the business.
4. Carbon Footprint Reduction
   • Tuath has completed a Scope 1 & 2 carbon footprint analysis  of the organisation, demonstrating a 16% decrease in carbon intensity since 2020. Targets for energy efficiency and climate action have been established to build upon this progress.

Sustainable Development and Renovation

Tuath is actively engaged in sustainable development and renovation projects nationwide.

Key Actions & Commitments

• Annual ESG reporting in accordance with the ESG Charter and Framework.
• Preparation for reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive from 2025.
• Continuous reduction of carbon emissions and improved energy efficiency.
• A Social Value Framework to assess the impact on tenant and community well-being.
• Exemplary governance and regulatory compliance, operating with integrity and transparency.

Tuath remains dedicated to making the social and affordable housing more sustainable, delivering positive environmental and social impacts for residents, employees, and the wider community.

Tuath’s CEO Sean O’Connor said “Tuath’s ESG charter echoes our unwavering commitment to weaving environmental consciousness, social responsibility, and ethical governance into the fabric of our operations. At Tuath, sustainability isn’t just a goal; it’s a journey, and our ESG charter is the roadmap guiding us toward a future where every home we build, and every community we are part of is sustainable.”

Will McCabe, Board Director, ” I find immense purpose in Tuath’s ESG commitment. It’s more than a set of principles; it’s our collective responsibility to leave a positive impact. With every decision, we affirm our dedication to sustainable practices, community well-being, and ethical governance. Tuath’s ESG charter reflects not just our values but our promise to stakeholders that we’re shaping a future where social and environmental considerations are integral to our success.”

“Tuath’s Head of Sustainability Kate Joyce emphasised, ‘Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond rhetoric—it is now embedded within our strategic plan. We’re not just building homes; we’re creating a sustainable future for both people and the planet.”

In November 2022, residents moved into newly constructed A Rated apartments in Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary. This beautiful new development on Kickham St, in the heart of Carrick-on-Suir, consists of 13 one, two and three bed apartments. Following receipt of CAS Stage 4 approval, Tuath entered a Design & Build contract with the developer JSF Construction. The Kickham Street apartments are now home to older persons and those with specific disabilities on the council’s waiting list.

During a pre- move in coffee morning our housing and tenant engagement teams spoke to residents about how they would like to get involved in tenant engagement projects once settled into their new homes. Many residents spoke about their keen interest in gardening, which inspired our staff to start work on a resident-led communal garden project. Funding for the garden project was secured through the support of developer JSF construction and the Tuath Housing Community Fund 2022. The Tuath Housing Community Fund was set up in 2020 to assist both residents’ groups involved in the Tuath Housing Tenant Engagement initiative and local community groups who provide support to vulnerable people in communities where Tuath Housing residents live. Over the past three years the fund has supported an array of community led projects around the country.

In March 2023 the design and consultation process for the garden began with residents, staff and a horticulturist from  local Clonmel garden centre. Residents chose the theme for the garden as biodiversity with planting that will encourage birds, bees and butterflies to create a natural eco system in the space. It was important as part of the design consultation process that the garden was accessible for residents with planting focused around raised beds and easy to access planters.

On a sunny day in April staff from Tuaths Galway office, Tuaths Green team staff, Kickham Street residents and our advisor from the garden centre set to work on putting the garden design into place. Fruit trees, vegetables, and herbs formed are a large part of the design.  Tuaths’ Green Team is a staff-led group focused on being champions for green initiatives across all areas of Tuath – from our head office to the homes of our residents. The Green Team has representatives from all areas of Tuath’s operations to ensure that all areas of the business are considered. This includes New Business and Development, Finance, Corporate Services, Property Services and Housing.

The garden has many seating areas for residents to come and enjoy this shared space with neighbours, but it is also a sunny quite area to come and relax and listen to the chimes. There are two raised beds in the garden that contain tomato plants, carrots and strawberry’s. There is also a herb area with parsley, sage, chives, coriander and a host of other herbs for residents to share. Apple and Pear trees were planted, and which will provide food to bees when in flower but also fruit when they mature. A bird feeder and bird water fountain was put in place to encourage birds into the garden. A wildflower area was also seeded during the planting day to provide food for bees and butterflies.

The garden was officially opened by Cathaoirleach of Carrick on Suir Municipal District Cllr. Kieran Bourke photo exhibition celebrating old photos of the area was also held as part of the official opening of the new communal garden area. Local historian Walter Dunphy  also gave a talk to attendees on the local history of the area and spoke about Kickham street. Resident Cora donated a framed photograph for the communal space of Ormond Castle located on the River Suir on the east side of Carrick-on-Suir. Old photos of Carrick on Suir were sourced through the Tipperary Studies Digital Archive and support was also provided through the Sean Healy Memorial Library, Carrick on Suir.

Residents will be able to come and enjoy many days in the garden, which is not only a great way to meet neighbours but also to come and relax for mindfulness and well-being. We wish residents many years of happiness in the communal garden and look forward to seeing the garden grow and mature over time.  We would like to thank Bakers Lot residents and neighbours, Tuath staff, JSF Construction, Tipperary County Council, Clonmel Garden centre, Carol Delaney, Sean Healy Memorial Library, Mary Guinan Darmody, Tipperary Studies and local residents Walter Dunphy and Denis Landy.

Minister O’Brien Opens New Homes at Historic Victorian-Era Building in Dublin

Ellis Court, one of Irelands first social housing schemes built in the 1880’s, has been brought back to its original use and now provides 22 homes in Dublin City Centre.

On Thursday 2nd of February, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien was joined by Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy, for the official opening of 22 new social homes at Ellis Court on Benburb Street, a development which saw the refurbishment of one of the earliest social housing schemes constructed on the Island. Originally designed in 1885 by Daniel J. Freeman on behalf of, what was then known as Dublin Corporation, the building would remain in use for social housing purposes up until 2005, when severe fire damage meant it had to be vacated. The building has now been restored to its former use as part of a collaborative project between Tuath Housing, Dublin City Council and the Department of Housing.

The 22 new Ellis Court homes have now been allocated, by Tuath Housing, to people from the Dublin City Council housing waiting list. The project saw the building undergo major  restoration works that has retained most of the structure’s historical integrity, while successfully converting it to modern residential accommodation. The approved plans for the refurbishment included the building of a new extension, with the overall development now consisting of 19x apartments (6x one-beds and 13x two-beds) and 3x townhouses (2 x two-beds and 1x three-bed homes). The delivery of the new A-rated energy efficient homes is the result of a Public Works Contract , which has been 100% funded by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.

Tuath delivered its first homes in partnership with Dublin City Council in 2006 and has continued working with the local authority since then to deliver over 2,600 homes. Having delivered a further 1,900 homes throughout 2022, Tuath has now delivered over 10,100 homes nationwide, housing some 26,000 people.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy said “It is a privilege to officially open the newly restored Ellis Court building on Benburb Street. I would like to congratulate my fellow councillors, who approved the transfer of this historic building to Tuath Housing, and congratulate council staff for their collaboration with the approved housing body. It is truly heart-warming to see a piece of Dublin’s history restored, while also providing sorely needed homes in the City Centre. I would like to congratulate the new tenants and hope they will be very happy in them .”

Minister Darragh O’Brien commented “Conserving the historical and cultural landscape of our cities is a key action under Housing for All. By restoring and retaining the rich character of our historical buildings, we can also reinvigorate the areas in which they reside. Ellis Court has a storied history as one of Ireland’s first social housing schemes, built in the 1880’s, so it is fitting that it will remain as such. I commend Dublin City Council, Tuath Housing, and those within my own Department for their collaborative efforts that has resulted in this beautiful restoration, providing 22 new homes in the heart of Dublin.”

Councillor Dermot Lacey, the Chairperson of the Housing SPC stated “This is a wonderful example of what can happen when the different partners in housing cooperate with imagination and good will. We need a lot more of this. It is also a superb example of marrying the old with the new in the physical sense of restoring these beautiful buildings. Again we need more of this. I wish all the new residents every happiness in their new homes”.

Sean O’Connor, CEO of Tuath Housing noted “At Tuath, we look forward to working on many more projects like this one and are delighted to note that we are currently working on four similar refurbishment projects in counties Westmeath, Mayo and Cork. Our aim is to create sustainable communities in places where people want to live, such as here at Ellis Court, where we will soon see the new residents enjoying their new homes in the heart of Dublin’s City Centre.”