Recently, staff from Tuath’s Customer Engagement, Sustainability, Housing and Sustainment management team visited the Habitat ReStore in Glasnevin, where we met with Niall McConkey, Retore Impact Manager to discuss how Tuath and ReStore could work together.
This new collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Ireland and their social enterprise ReStore, is a partnership that has real potential to benefit our residents, strengthen our sustainability efforts and reduce waste.
What ReStore Offers
ReStore accepts a wide range of surplus building materials, fixtures, appliances, flooring, lighting and furniture from both home and office settings. This includes items such as timber, tiles, tools, kitchen units, white‑goods, carpets, lighting, paint and good‑quality furniture. These materials are then made available at affordable prices to individuals and community groups, helping to reduce waste and support those who need it most. By giving these items a second life, fewer materials end up in landfill, supporting both our sustainability goals and the wider community.
Why This Partnership Matters
A collaboration with ReStore aligns strongly with Tuath’s sustainability, sustainment and customer engagement goals and offers practical support for residents who may be setting up or maintaining their homes.
There are currently Habitat ReStores open in Glasnevin, Drogheda, Belfast, Lisburn, Ballymena, Newry, Newtownards and Lisnagelvin, with plans to open a new store in Athlone later this year.
Pictured at the launch of the Tuath Foundation Social Value Analysis Report today were Funding Recipients, from left, Leeza Kane, Karen O’Mahoney, Mary Potts, Christina Byrne and Rachel Mulhall.
A funding initiative for social housing residents and community groups has delivered more than €4 in social value for every €1 invested in its first year, a new report shows.
The Tuath Foundation was established in April 2025 to enhance quality of life and encourage social inclusion and community-building for residents of Tuath Housing, Ireland’s largest Approved Housing Body. The Foundation’s performance across the five funding streams was independently evaluated by Rose Regeneration, an evaluation consultant supporting voluntary and community organisations, using internationally accredited Social Return on Investment methodology.
The analysis found consistently strong returns across all programmes, demonstrating the Foundation’s significant benefits generated for residents and communities during its first year.
Key findings:
The Digital Support Fund delivered €4.46 in social value for every €1 invested
The Community Fund delivered €4.29 for every €1 invested
The Climate Action Fund delivered €4.17 for every €1 invested
The New Horizons Education Bursary delivered €4.12 for every €1 invested
The Social Inclusion and Diversity Fund is forecast to deliver €4.15 for every €1 invested
Social value is the quantifiable positive impact an initiative or organisation has on society beyond its financial bottom line. Overall, the report demonstrates a strong return on investment, with the Foundation contributing to improved wellbeing, reduced social isolation, increased skills and employment opportunities and stronger, more connected communities.
“People and communities thrive when you invest in them”
Speaking at the launch of the report, Tuath Foundation Chair Prof Paddy Gray said: “It could not be more clear; people and communities thrive when you invest in them. This report demonstrates the real impact of the Tuath Foundation in the year since its launch, both in financial terms and through the stories from our residents right across the country. We are proud to see such strong social value being delivered and remain committed to building brighter futures for our residents.”
Among those who shared their stories at the event was Tuath resident Leeza Kane, who worked with neighbours at Aldborough Manor and Hawkins Wood in Greystones, Co. Wicklow to set up a community garden. Their project was supported by the Foundation’s Climate Action Fund.
“I have loved getting outdoors, getting my hands dirty and learning how to grow vegetables. It’s also been a great opportunity to get to know people locally, so the social benefit is significant. Climate and sustainability are big issues for us all, so it’s been wonderful to have the support of the Tuath Foundation on this project.”
Tuath Foundation funding is open to Tuath residents, residents’ groups, community organisations, and voluntary groups. Applications for the various funds will open at different intervals throughout the year. Residents and community groups can find more information and apply via the Tuath Housing website at www.tuathhousing.ie.
Tuath Housing publishes Sustainability Report as it opens 255 new ultra-low energy homes in Dublin
“Every new home we provide is an opportunity to do better” – Tuath
DUBLIN, 19 Nov 2025: Tuath Housing has today published its second Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, setting out its progress and priorities in delivering sustainable, inclusive housing for people and communities across Ireland.
Bronagh D’Arcy, Deputy CEO, Tuath Housing, Cllr Tom O’Leary, Fingal Mayor Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne, Will McCabe, Board Director, Tuath Housing.
The report, prepared in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, reflects Tuath’s commitment to accountability and transparency. Tuath remains the first Approved Housing Body (AHB) in Ireland to publish a full ESG report aligned with GRI standards, underscoring its leadership in responsible, evidence-based housing delivery.
Tuath is Ireland’s largest AHB, with 25 years of experience of providing homes across Ireland. The organisation is on track to provide almost 2,300 social and Cost Rental homes this year, bringing it to more than 7,000 homes in the past three years.
The report launch took place at Whitehaven in Santry, one of the first PassivHaus developments to be provided by an Approved Housing Body in Ireland
The Association launched the report this morning at Whitehaven, a new mixed-tenure housing development in Santry, Dublin. It is Tuath’s first PassivHaus development and one of the first PassivHaus schemes to be provided by an AHB in Ireland. Whitehaven offers 255 social and Cost Rental homes built to PassivHaus standard, resulting in ultra-low energy homes that require almost no traditional space heating; significantly reducing energy bills and emissions. The Cost Rental homes provided are being offered at 30% below market rents, making affordability a reality for residents. There were over 7,200 applications for the 161 Cost Rental homes within the development.
Minister BRowne speaking at the report launch.
Sustainability in Action
Tuath Housing has embedded ‘A Sustainable Future’ as a core strategic objective, ensuring that environmental and social responsibility guide every decision. Today, 82% of Tuath homes achieve exceptional energy efficiency standards, meeting NZEB or BER A2 ratings, with all new homes built to NZEB standards since 2021—delivering reduced energy costs and enhanced living conditions for residents. Over 600 homes have already undergone energy upgrades, creating warmer, more comfortable spaces while lowering bills and emissions.
Beyond housing, they prioritise community support and inclusion through investment in shared spaces, resident programmes, and the newly established Tuath Foundation, helping people thrive where they live. Our commitment to sustainability and financial strength was recently recognised with an A+ credit rating from global agency Fitch, underscoring our long-term resilience and responsibility.
While superior design standards such as passive housing shows the way forward in sustainable residential design, challenges remain for Approved Housing Bodies in upgrading older, lower rated homes to higher energy efficiency standards due to funding constraints in the sector. In addition, complexities around owner management companies in apartment buildings remain a challenge. Tuath welcomes the recent recommendation by the AHB Strategic Forum to establish a Green Deal for AHBs to achieve climate resilience.
Efficiency, comfort and community
Whitehaven is one of Ireland’s first PassivHaus social housing schemes, offering cost savings and comfortable living to the hundreds of people who will call it home. Some of the benefits of PassivHaus homes include:
Easy to heat and keep warm, thanks to high levels of insulation and airtight design
Constant fresh air (even with the windows closed) through heat recovery ventilation
Noise reduction due to triple-glazed windows and insulated design
Designed to shut out damp and mould for a healthier indoor environment
Whitehaven will be part of one of the world’s largest PassivHaus monitoring projects, with its performance tracked in a post-occupancy evaluation study, PassivHaus consultants Mosart will monitor everything from energy use and air quality to occupant comfort and wellbeing; linking design intent to lived experience. The scheme also includes dedicated community spaces that encourage inclusion and social connection; a key part of Tuath’s commitment to building thriving, sustainable neighbourhoods.
Whitehaven was developed by Tuath and Cairn in partnership with Fingal County Council. Tuath and Cairn are working together on a second development of 268 homes at Niven Oaks in Santry, due for delivery in 2026. MCORM was the project architect for this development.
“Our focus is on responsible growth”
The ESG Report 2024 and the new homes at Whitehaven were officially launched by the Mayor of Fingal Cllr Tom O’Leary and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD.
Speaking at the launch, Mayor O’Leary said: “We are proud to support Tuath Housing’s commitment to sustainability and the delivery of new homes. The opening of the Whitehaven development in Fingal, with 255 high-quality, energy-efficient homes, is a shining example of what can be achieved when innovation and partnership come together. By combining environmental responsibility with innovative housing solutions, we can help build places that support families, foster connections, and safeguard our shared future.”
Minister Browne said: “I am delighted to be here in Whitehaven today for the launch of these much needed new homes. It is great to see these homes now being delivered to those who need them. We are responding to a housing crisis and we need more homes like these across all tenures.
“By focusing on sustainability in our procurement and supply chains, we can make low-carbon homes more accessible and affordable at scale. Our goal is to make sustainable housing standard. As materials and expertise become more available, the cost of building sustainably continues to fall and this allows us to deliver long-term environmental and social value as a standard, not an exception.
“Our new housing plan intends to ramp-up the delivery of mixed-tenure developments like this to provide safe and permanent housing options and build strong, sustainable communities.
“As Minister, I will remain laser focused on removing any barriers to the further delivery of homes and the new Government Housing plan that was released last week provides further certainty in this regard across the entire sector.”
Will McCabe, Director, Board of Tuath Housing, said: “This report isn’t about claiming perfection — it’s about showing progress and being open about where we can do better. Our aim is to build and manage homes that are good for people, good for communities, and good for the planet. ESG reporting helps us measure that impact and be held accountable. Every new home we provide is an opportunity to do better – to listen, to learn, and to create communities that last. Our focus is on responsible growth; building homes that meet people’s needs today while contributing positively to tomorrow.”
Michael Stanley, Cairn Chief Executive Officer, said: “Almost 700 people will soon call Whitehaven, Santry home. The scheme reflects our commitment to deliver partner value through pace, scale, and sustainability. These 255 homes are also built to PassivHaus standard, offering significant energy cost savings to residents. We are proud to continue our partnership with both Tuath Housing and Fingal County Council.”
The Tuath Climate Action Fund is now open for applications!
We are delighted to announce that applications for the Tuath Climate Action Fund are now open! This fund has been launched as part of the Tuath Foundation to support community-led projects focused on climate action and sustainability.
With over 15,000 homes and more than 37,000 residents, Tuath is uniquely placed to support residents in their sustainability journey. Last year, in collaboration with the Housing Alliance and the Housing Agency, Tuath surveyed residents on their thoughts about climate and sustainability. We had a phenomenal response rate showing how important the topic is to residents. The survey found that 85% of respondents are concerned about climate change. Further, many residents outlined ways they wished to engage further on a wide range of sustainability topics. This survey provided us with valuable insight and has guided our approach to engaging with residents on environmental topics. The Climate Action Resident Fund is one of the many ways we aim to create lasting positive change for residents and their communities.
Residents and community groups can apply for grants ranging from €500 to €5,000 for initiatives like community gardens, climate workshops, bike racks, composting, biodiversity projects, rainwater harvesting, and green skills training.
This fund aims to raise awareness, encourage sustainable behaviours and empower residents to make a positive environmental impact in their local areas.
Apply now to build a greener, more sustainable future for your community!
Applications are open from 1 July and will close on 8 August. Following this a judging panel will review all applications. Successful applicants will be contacted directly.
On Wednesday 16 April in Navan, Tuath Housing hosted a sustainable Easter event to celebrate the launch of the new Tuath Biodiversity Booklet for Residents.
This exciting new booklet offers residents information and tips on how they can enhance biodiversity in their homes and communities.
At the event itself, Meath Library was present for children’s storytelling and a craft workshop. In line with the theme of sustainability at this event, Voice Ireland delivered a workshop to residents highlighting the importance of recycling.. After the workshop, a children’s entertainer set up games, played music and painted faces.
This Easter event marks one of many festive activities being hosted by Tuath Housing over the school break, as we continue to develop strong and sustainable communities nationwide.
Tuath holds warm clothes swap and toy exchange at De Verdon Place to help residents prepare for the winter months in new community space
As part of ‘Sustainable September,’ Tuath held a clothing exchange in De Verdon Place, Dublin 17. Tuath staff and residents came together to give a new lease of life to pre-loved clothes by exchanging clothing items and creating a new sustainable wardrobe. The focus was on winter clothes such as coats, scarves and wooly hats ahead of the winter months.
In November, residents came together to trade pre-loved toys and household items for Tuath’s first ever toy swap event, also held at De Verdon Place on the Malahide Road. Blending festive cheer with a commitment to sustainability, the initiative encouraged residents to donate pre-loved toys in great condition, creating a shared pool of items that could find new homes just in time for Christmas. From stuffed animals to building blocks, the donations reflected the community’s generosity and creativity. Many families from the area took home something new to play with, while ensuring that used toys found a new home and didn’t go to waste. The initiative was organised with the aim of promoting sustainability in the community, while also helping families to plan and budget in the run-up to Christmas.
Initiatives like these reduce our carbon footprint by promoting the sustainable use of clothes, toys and household items. By reusing and repurposing, we collectively reduce waste and embrace the idea that meaningful gifts don’t always have to come wrapped in shiny, brand-new packaging.
Beyond the environmental benefits, there are social sustainability advantages to such initiatives. These swaps strengthen bonds in De Verdon Place and neighbouring developments by offering an opportunity to come together, share resources, and create a joyful festive experience that is kind to both the planet and wallet.
To learn more about Tuath’s mission to create a more sustainable future, visit the Sustainability page on our website.
Tuath Housing was pleased to attend and participate in the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) Finance & Development Conference 2024 in Sligo this week.
Tuath was shortlisted for the ICSH Social Impact Award 2024 at the ICSH Conference, while members of staff from across the organisation spoke on important topics in the Irish social housing sector such as delivery, sustainability and resident involvement across the two-day event.
On Wednesday 16th October, Director of Property Services Nick Sheward and Senior Sustainability Coordinator Jennifer Whitty pitched the Circular Reno Project for the ICSH Social Impact Challenge 2024. Tuath was shortlisted for this award, which highlights projects that promote Environmental, Social and Governance practice in housing and communities.
Tuath is an Irish partner for this EU project which seeks to develop modular bio-based construction materials from Agri-crops for application in modular construction retrofit. The pilot Irish home in this project was completed in July 2024, and Tuath plans to similarly retrofit a further ten homes throughout Ireland with this project.
Further details on this project can be found here and here.
In parallel sessions across the conference, further Tuath representatives spoke on Wednesday afternoon. Aileen Gallagher, Head of New Business and Delivery at Tuath, explored challenges and opportunities for social housing providers in Ireland during the ‘Meeting Cost Rental and Affordable Housing Demand’ panel. Kate Joyce, Head of Sustainability and Strategic Projects, discussed Tuath’s commitment to embedding sustainability into all aspects of our organisation throughout the afternoon’s ‘Embedding Social & Environmental Best Practice into Development’ discussion.
On Thursday morning, Nick Sheward, Director of Property Services, talked about how we put residents’ experiences at the heart of our work at Tuath during the ‘Safeguarding Communities Over Commodities’ event. He spoke about how services at Tuath are resident-led and how we empower and connect with residents to ensure their voices are heard.
Tuath would like to thank the Irish Council for Social Housing who organised this conference, providing an opportunity to connect with partners, stakeholders and colleagues across the Irish social housing sector.
Residents at four developments in Dublin can now book a vehicle on demand near their home, offering a sustainable and affordable transport option.
left to right: Ronan Finn – Locations Growth, Driveyou. Jennifer Whitty – Sustainability Coordinator, Tuath Housing. Jonathan Roche – Managing Director, Driveyou. Pictured at Kilternan Woods, Enniskerry Road, Tuath Housing)
Tuath has partnered with car-sharing service DriveYou to provide four cars and a designated parking spot in four developments across South Dublin. Residents at these developments in Carrickmines, Kilternan, Sandyford and Tallaght can now avail of this paid service through an application on their mobile phones.
By reducing the reliance on personal vehicle ownership, this innovative collaboration between residents, DriveYou and Tuath commits to a greener environment by reducing the number of vehicles on roads, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and traffic congestion.
This innovative partnership forms part of Tuath’s commitment to embedding sustainability into all aspects of our operations. In addition to making transport more environmentally-friendly, this eco-friendly alternative to car ownership further strengthens social sustainability at Tuath by making car-based transport increasingly accessible and affordable for residents. Additionally, with the rollout of DriveYou, Tuath continues to foster sustainable communities by providing this shared resource, thus fostering a sense of communal responsibility for sustainable living.
“We’re excited to introduce this new car-sharing service to the residents of Dublin’s outskirts,” said Jennifer Whitty of Tuath Housing. “Our goal is to provide a reliable, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative to car ownership. We believe Driveyou will significantly benefit those living in these areas, offering them greater mobility while contributing to a reduction in traffic and pollution.”
Tuath would like to take this opportunity to thank residents and DriveYou as partners in this sustainable initiative.
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.
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