They are committing nearly £16million (€20million) towards the provision of one hundred and thirty two new homes for families and elderly residents in Donegal and Derry.
During their series of visits, the Ministers will officially open the Taobh na Cille Sheltered Housing Project in Donegal and the Oakland Park redevelopment scheme in the Creggan. They will also cut the first sod at a new project at Dove Gardens in the Bogside.
The Donegal scheme will provide high quality safe and secure housing for 30 elderly residents. Dove Gardens will provide sixty three much needed eco friendly family homes for residents in the Bogside. This scheme will be built on a site derelict for a number of years and includes land made available by both the Housing Executive and Derry City Council.
Oakland Park, where the Ministers hand over the keys to the first residents, consists of thirty nine homes and state of the art leisure facilities. This was only possible after a historic new partnership between North and West Housing Association, Derry City Council and the Developer Bayfield Developments.
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said: “These new homes are, and will be, a great boost to the people of the North West. I am delighted to be back in Derry today to launch them. They will provide much needed housing for those in need and I commend the Housing Executive and North and West Housing for making them happen. I am also enthused by the partnership approach with Derry City Council. I am pleased to be able to show my opposite number in Dublin some of the good work we are all doing together in Derry.”
Michael Finneran TD, Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal & Developing Areas said:”'Like Minister Ritchie, I want to increase the supply of housing for those most in need and in that respect, the challenges we face, North and South, are not that dissimilar. North and West Housing are to be commended for bringing forward these three new schemes that will provide a very welcome housing boost for those across the North West”.
In response, Gerry Kelly, Chief Executive of North and West Housing said: “We are delighted to be involved in these projects and to welcome both Ministers to the region. We are proud of our partnership approach as it helps ensure that local residents can enjoy new homes, in safe accommodation while creating vibrant communities. “
Both Ministers have agreed that their respective Departments should continue to work closely together to identify opportunities and share good practice to help tackle the housing problems that apply North and South.
Notes to Editors:
- Canon Brian Smeaton, Chairman of North and West Housing (Ireland) will welcome both Ministers to the Taobh na Cille Scheme in Moville, Donegal which will provide high quality safe and secure housing for 30 elderly residents. The scheme has been built on the footprint of a former convent, since vacated and will afford residents the opportunity to live an independent lifestyle in a supported environment.
- Later, the Ministers travel across the border where Marjorie Keenan, Chairperson of North and West Housing will invite them to cut the first sod in a new scheme that will provide 63 much needed family homes for residents in the Bogside of Derry. This scheme will be built on a site derelict for a number of years and includes land made available by both the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Derry City Council. Each of these homes will be built to new energy efficiency levels that will reduce energy costs for future residents by up to 25%, something that must be welcomed given the news earlier in the week about rising gas and electricity prices.
- Finally the delegation make the short journey to Oakland Park in the Creggan where the Ministers will hand over the keys to the first residents of this recently completed development, a development that includes not just 39 new homes but state of the art leisure facilities that can be enjoyed by the wider community. This was only possible after a historic new partnership approach between the Housing Association, Derry City Council and the Developer and such has been the success of this approach, the Council now intend to use the model for other similar parcels of land in its ownership.
- For further information, please contact Philip Maguire on 028 9082 9079, mobile 07788 108657 / Joe Livingston on 02890 829468 mobile 07920 187938 or Sean Dunne on 353 1 888 2393 / John Whelan on 353 1 888 2397.
