Press Release
Kildare County Council welcomes Minister of State for Housing, Local Government & Heritage to Kildare
The visit comprised a tour of some of the housing projects and developments across the county supported by the Department
Kildare County Council today welcomed Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage with special responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell TD to Kildare for a tour of some of the housing projects and developments across Kildare.
A packed tour of the County included a visit to Station Road, Kildare Town, the site of a proposed new social housing development which has been chosen as one of four sites in the country for the Town Centre Living, Architectural Design Competition for the design of the development. The competition, an initiative by the DHLGH and the RIAI aims to encourage innovative design for social housing within the town and showcase how vacant and back land sites in town centre locations can be utilised for housing.
Director of Housing and Corporate Services, Ms Annette Aspell welcomed the Minister to the Station Road site where he had the opportunity to view the site which, upon completion will deliver an estimated 20 new social housing units.
Welcoming the Minister to Kildare Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Fintan Brett said; "I’m delighted to welcome Minister O’Donnell to Kildare today to visit some of the important housing projects that the Government is supporting including 74 social housing units recently complete in Craddockstown, Naas as well as the site of future development of another 20 new social housing units in Kildare Town. These are just some of the important housing projects delivered and under development across Kildare and they are vital to help meet the housing needs of the families and communities in our county.”
The Minister was also welcomed to a new mixed tenure housing development at Grey Abbey in Kildare Town that will provide high quality residential homes in a prime location just off the M7. This development is being progressed by Kildare County Council, Glenveagh Homes and Tuath Housing Association working in close collaboration to support mixed tenure housing in County Kildare.
The Minister also visited Market Square in Kildare Town. Kildare County Council temporarily transformed the public car park on Market Square to a popular public plaza in 2020 where residents and businesses in Kildare welcomed the additional public space which facilitates the weekly market, the opportunity to meet with friends and family. With the assistance of Failte Ireland and RRDF funding, Kildare County Council will commence a Part 8 process to provide a permanent public space in the heart of Kildare Town.
Next on the agenda was a stop in Craddockstown, Naas to visit a development comprising 74 social housing units which were recently complete under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement. Kildare County Council was one of five participating Local Authorities which delivered 534 homes across six sites under the PPP agreement.
Welcoming the visit, Kildare County Council, Deputy Chief Executive, Joe Boland said; “We’re delighted to welcome Minister O’Donnell to Kildare to witness how important funding from his department and ongoing collaboration has helped to deliver vital social housing developments in Kildare. The development we visited in Craddockstown, Naas today has provided 74 homes for individuals and families in Kildare, delivered under a Public Private Partnership agreement. At Kildare County Council we are committed to playing our part to support delivery of housing and community development, working with the Minister, his department and all partners to strive to meet Kildare’s housing needs.”
The final stop of the day was at Áras Chill Dara where the Minister met with the elected members of Kildare County Council.
