Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, recently met the new residents of the recently completed Clann social housing developments in Tallaght, as he officially opened the homes at Fernwood Green and Maplewood Heights. The residents who greeted the Minister had previously been on South Dublin County Council’s housing list, or had ‘right-sized’ from larger, unsuitable homes, and had gotten their keys in time to spend Christmas in their new safe, secure and permanent homes. The neighbouring schemes, run by Clann – the age-friendly offering of Clúid Housing – are composed of 40 one- and two-bed bungalows. Maplewood Heights also has a community space where residents can socialise.
The Housing Minister, the Mayor of South Dublin, Cllr. Alan Edge, and Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, Colm Ward, joined Clúid’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian O’Gorman, in welcoming the residents and launching the developments. Brian O’Gorman, CEO of Clúid Housing said “These A-rated age-friendly homes have been delivered at the heart of an established community in Tallaght. These 40 homes in Fernwood Green and Maplewood Heights are close to local amenities and public transport links. The excellent location, combined with the Universal Design principles used in the design and layout of the homes, will allow the new residents to stay living in their homes and community for as long as possible.
We’ve partnered with South Dublin County Council to bring more much-needed age-friendly homes to the area. These homes, along with the 85 new homes in Sallymills, Clondalkin, which just completed, and 81 in The Weir, Tallaght, which are due to be completed soon, will bring the number of age-friendly homes Clúid has developed with South Dublin County Council to a total of 206.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said: ““It’s wonderful to be here today to meet some of Clúid’s newest residents. Getting the keys to your new ‘forever home’ is wonderful at any time of the year, but there is something particularly special about hearing how these residents are preparing to spend their first Christmas in their new homes. “Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan, identified the need for greater housing options as an area for priority and I must again commend Clúid and South Dublin County Council on their collaboration to deliver these beautiful homes, which were designed to meet the needs of older people and to allow them to continue to live in, and contribute to, their local community.
“2023 was a strong year for housing delivery and we continue to support Clúid and other not-for-profit Approved Housing Bodies to deliver on the Government’s housing targets by contributing to the 33,000 housing completions we’re targeting in 2024.”
Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, Colm Ward stated “We were delighted to collaborate with Clúid Housing, their dedicated age-friendly housing service, Clann Housing, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to realise the Council’s vision for this development. Under both our Rightsizing Policy and our Housing Delivery Action Plan, we developed the initial plans and provided the land for this project, as well as participating in research on rightsizing with Age Friendly Ireland and others to support the delivery of age friendly housing within local communities. It is great to see that vision realised in the heart of a local community in Tallaght, close to well-established amenities, services and supports where new residents will enjoy high-quality, energy efficient homes designed for their needs along with a community facility to provide a place for connecting and I would particularly like to acknowledge the support of local Councillors who made this project possible.”
Mayor of South Dublin, Cllr. Alan Edgecommented at the launch, “I’m delighted to officially welcome Minister Darragh O’Brien and our other distinguished guests to Tallaght and South Dublin for such a positive event which sees new residents moving into fantastic new age-friendly homes in a wonderful community in Springfield. A key objective of the South Dublin Age Friendly County Strategy is to provide appropriate housing options for our ageing population using best practice in location, design, management and supports, and to assist older people to live independently for longer within their communities. These developments have very successfully delivered on that for older people who are rightsizing from existing private and social homes locally as well as housing applicants, and I wish all the new residents of both Maplewood and Fernwood many happy and successful times in their new homes.”
Eibhlin O’Connor, Chief Commercial Officer of Clúid Housing added “We’re extremely grateful to all our partners who helped us deliver these fabulous new homes. The homes were designed by Van Dijk Architects in line with Clann’s design guide which incorporates Universal Design principles, and Cleary Doyle contractors got the build over the line. The project also benefited from support from Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Agency and South Dublin County Council.”
Dominic Ritchie, resident of Maplewood Heights said “It’s great to be in my new home. Having my own space gives me so much more independence and freedom. I’m looking forward to being able to have my family over, and for my grandchildren to be able to stay.”
