Reply - HI 13 1A St Patricks

COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

HEADED ITEM NO. 13

HEADED ITEM: H. Department

Report 1A St. Patrick's

The house at 1A St Patricks Road was constructed following the approval of the Part 8 report in 2006. For the purposes of clarity at the time of the Part 8 and the house construction it was the clear intention to place the house on the market.

The house was placed on the market following completion. However, the circumstances surrounding this property were quite unique in that the Council has encountered a number of difficulties in the sale or letting of the above dwelling due to a disputed strip of land which formed part of the side garden to the property.

A number of attempts were made to acquire the strip of land by agreement from the registered owners to no avail and the Council was left with no option but to CPO the lands in March 2013. Once the CPO was confirmed by An Bord Pleanala in August 2015 negotiations were on-going with the land owners Agent to agree compensation. Settlement with the land owners was only reached in December 2015 and the Council acquired full title to the land in March 2016.

The final cost of the contract for the construction was in the sum of €563,759. Other miscellaneous expenditure including fees relating to the CPO referred to above, has brought the total expenditure to €629,000. It was always envisaged that once full title had been obtained these costs would be substantially recouped from the disposal of the dwelling.

However, prior to placing the property on the market discussions were held with the Housing Department on potential alternative uses. These discussions were in view of :

The current housing crisis.
The reality that the property would not achieve the financial return on the market originally envisaged, and
The opportunity of the home type meeting specific priority needs from the housing list.

Following these discussions a potential allocation to a family in particular medical need of the type of accommodation the home could meet was identified.

As members will be aware there have been a number of meetings in the interim and it was agreed that this report be brought to the Area Committee at this time.

In considering this report members should take into account:

Any proposed sale of the dwelling would require the consent of the members of the Council in accordance with S 183 of the Local Government Act.
The deficit above is a debit figure in the Council Capital account and must be funded. The income from the house, whether by sale or taking into stock, will partly defray the balance. The remaining deficit will have to be funded from other Council income sources. Accordingly, it will not be possible to ring fence any income from a sale of the property to finance the purchase of alternate social homes.

At an informal briefing with the Area Committee on 16^th November the view appeared to be that the home be allocated on the basis of medical need rather than sold. It is recommended that this approach remains the best option for the home.