COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, December 13, 2021
QUESTION NO. 20
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the Council's Traveller Accommodation Programme and may we have a statement?
REPLY:
The Traveller Accommodation Programme (TAP) 2019-2024 was adopted by the Elected Members in July 2019. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Hertiage are currently preparing guidelines which will issue shortly in relation to the the mid-term review of progress under the current TAP. Once the mid term review is completed, the Council will present a report to the elected members. Any amendments to the the proposed accomodation porgramme must then be made within seven months.
The Council’s approach to the provision of Traveller Accommodation over the lifetime of the programme includes:
- Construction of new sites
- Redevelopment of existing sites
- Filling of casual vacancies
- Refurbishment/Extension of Existing Units
- Standard Social Housing
Construction/Redevelopment
Four sites were prioritised to be progressed in the current TAP and were identified for construction/redevelopment works to provide long-term sustainable Traveller Accommodation:
Fonthill Road – At the recent November, Lucan Palmerstown, Fonthill area committee proposals for the construction of a new Traveller- specific housing development were published to the elected members for the area. This innovative development will comprise of seven new ‘A’ rated energy efficient homes: five four-bedroom and two three-bedroom two storey houses including a dedicated play space for children. The Part 8 planning application will be published shortly and will go to public consultation. The proposals will be available for inspection at County Hall, Tallaght, and Civic Offices, Clondalkin or online on the Council’s Consultation Portal.
Adamstown – Planning approval in Adamstown for the delivery of six units of accommodation (four-bedroom homes) has been granted under a Part V agreement with the developer. It is expected that these units will be available for allocation in 2022.
Oldcastle Park - With the agreement of the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee, the Council has completed a Traveller led consultation process through CENA (Culturally Appropriate Homes Limited), a Traveller-led Voluntary Accommodation Association, to bring forward proposals for the redevelopment of Oldcastle Park. Preliminary drawings for the location of new Traveller specific and social housing units have recently been completed by our Architectural Services Department. The Council will now engage with the residents regarding the type and design of their new homes. It is expected that the final design plans for the redevelopment towards a Part 8 Public Consultation process will be progressed in 2022.
Owendoher Haven – The Council was unable to reach agreement with residents regarding the preliminary design for the construction of eight new homes and one refurbishment. With the agreement of residents, the Council has completed a Traveller led consultation process through CENA (Culturally Appropriate Homes Limited), a Traveller-led Voluntary Accommodation Association, to bring forward new proposals for the redevelopment of Owendoher Haven. The Council is currently reviewing this report with a view to recommencing discussions with residents in early 2022.
Rathcoole - A revised masterplan for Council owned lands in Rathcoole will be presented to the Elected Members as part of the draft County Development Plan process. This location has long-since been selected for Traveller accommodation with a historic Part 8 approval in place. Subject to the necessary approvals, it is intended that ten Traveller group houses will form part of the housing and recreational proposal for the site.
Pilot Caravan Loans
The Council has been allocated €450,000 from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Pilot Caravan Loan scheme. 15 loan offers have been made to date under Round 1 & 2 of the scheme. The maximum loan available is €30,000.
Group Housing - Refurbishment
|
No. of Units |
Location |
Type |
Status |
|
2 |
Daletree |
4 bed Unit |
Allocated |
|
1 |
Daletree |
4 bed Unit |
Under Refurbishment |
|
3 |
Lynch’s Park |
4 bed Unit |
Allocated |
|
1 |
Kishogue Park |
4 bed Unit |
Allocated |
|
1 |
Kishogue Park |
4 bed Unit |
Under Refurbishment |
|
1 |
Kimmage Manor |
4 bed Unit |
Allocated |
Provision of Medical Chalet
|
No. of Units |
Location |
Type |
Status |
|
1 |
Belgard Park |
Medical Unit |
Allocated |
|
1 |
Lynch’s Park |
Accessible Unit |
Allocated |
|
1 |
Old Castle Park |
Medical Unit |
Allocated |
|
1 |
Old Castle Park |
Medical Unit |
Under Construction |
|
1 |
Kishogue Park |
Medical Unit |
Tender |
Provision of Emergency Mobile Home
|
No. of Units |
Location |
Type |
Status |
|
1 |
Owendoher |
Mobile Home |
Allocated |
Day Unit and Bay
|
No. of Units |
Location |
Type |
Status |
|
6 |
Stocking Hill |
Day unit and Bay |
Works Pending |
|
1 |
Belgard Park |
Day unit and Bay |
Allocated |
|
1 |
Belgard Park |
Day Unit and Bay |
Works Pending |
|
1 |
Cherryfield |
Day unit and Bay |
Allocated |
|
2 |
Kishogue |
Day unit and Bay |
Allocated |
Provision of Mobile Homes /Caravans under COVID
|
No. of Units |
Location |
Type |
Status |
|
1 |
Stocking Hill |
Mobile Home |
Allocated |
|
2 |
Belgard Park |
1 Mobile Home and 1 Caravan |
Allocated |
|
3 |
Kishogue |
1 Mobile Home and 2 Caravans |
Allocated |
|
2 |
Old Castle Park |
1 Mobile Home /1 Caravan |
Allocated |
Temporary Site
|
No. of Units |
Location |
Type |
Status |
|
4 |
Lock Road |
3/4 bed Units standard social housing |
Allocated |
Unauthorised Encampment
|
No. of Units |
Location |
Type |
Status |
|
1 |
Roadside |
4 bed Unit-standard social housing |
Allocated |
In addition to above, the allocation of standard social housing to Traveller households under the Traveller Accommodation Programme continues on an ongoing basis for those families whose stated preference is for such accommodation.