Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
172. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 8 October 2025, if he will provide an update on discussions his Department has had with Galway County Council in relation to the Ros a Mhíl and Eanach Mheáin social housing developments; the current status of the feasibility studies and cost reports on the sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17800/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to my response to Dáil Question No. 402 of 26 February 2026, my Department has approved proposals from Galway County Council regarding the sites at Ros a Mhíl and Eanach Mheáin in Connemara, with the next steps a matter for the local authority and relevant Approved Housing Body.
These sites were originally intended for development by a local Approved Housing Body for the purposes of providing social housing in Ros a Mhíl and Eanach Mheáin. Unfortunately, the developments failed to progress due to extenuating circumstances and the sites went undeveloped for a period of time.
Following more recent engagement between my Department and Galway County Council, and between Galway County Council and the Approved Housing Body, feasibility and cost assessments were undertaken by Galway County for each site. The objective was to identify the best path forward for the sites, having regard to technical and other challenges arising, the need for social or other housing in the respective areas, and value for money having regard to the cost and practicality of bringing forward housing on each site.
The feasibility and cost assessments were submitted by Galway County Council in November last year. The reports have since been assessed by the relevant technical and capital programme teams in my Department, and approval was given to Galway County Council last month to progress as recommended by Council.
It is now a matter for Galway County Council to engage with the Approved Housing Body to determine the best path forward for the Ros a Mhíl and Eanach Mheáin sites. An update on progress in this regard should be sought directly from Galway County Council.
