Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
159. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there has been any resolution to a social housing project in the Athy area suspended due to cost overruns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4864/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the acute need for new social housing supply in areas of high demand, including Kildare South, and is committed to delivering these in a timely and cost efficient manner.
Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the Governments priority is on accelerating delivery through the optimum use of public land, increased capital investment, and continued collaboration with housing delivery partners.
On 3 June 2025, after careful evaluation, my Department decided not to proceed to contract award for Social Housing Bundle 3 through Public Private Partnership, including the Kildare County Council development at Ardrew Athy. This decision was made due to the overall costs for the project being considered too high.
As was stated at that time, my Department and the relevant local authorities remain fully committed to delivering the social housing that PPP Bundle 3 was designed to provide.
The decision not to proceed to contract award was subsequently the subject of Judicial Review proceedings which were efficiently dealt with by my Department such that potentially serious delays in progressing an alternative procurement strategy were abated. Substantial progress has therefore been made in progressing that alternative procurement strategy.
Dublin City Council with 3 sites, and Kildare County Council with one site in Ardrew, Athy, have been working with the NDFA, to advance these sites as a bundle through a Design and Build procurement, leveraging the PPP tender packages and designs.
I have provided funding approval for these four sites. This project is referred to as Project Barrow.
Project Barrow Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) Tenders have issued and are due for review and shortlisting at the end of January 2026.
Following on from this shortlisting process, Pricing and Programme Tendering will commence in the coming months.
Project Barrow will deliver 317 much needed social homes, including 73 at Ardrew in Athy for Kildare County Council, 68 in East Wall, 93 in Ballymun and 83 in Collins Avenue for Dublin City Council.
