Minister for Housing Turns Sod on New Cost Rental Development

Mayor of South Dublin, Cllr. Emma Murphy, along with Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, today officially turned the sod to commence a new development of 133 cost rental apartments at Belgard Square North in Tallaght town centre.  This South Dublin County Council project represents the first standalone cost rental development by a local authority in Ireland.

The development consists of three studio apartments, sixty-four one-bedroom apartments, sixty-three two-bedroom apartments and three three-bedroom apartments to be delivered in three blocks, ranging from three to eight storeys together with community space and high-quality communal and public open space.  The central location is ideal for the rental market with proximity to major employment, retail and education centres as well as excellent transport links and amenities, including the soon to be completed Work IQ Innovation Centre and the Innovation Square public plaza, both of which are also current Council projects.

Building contractors JJ Rhatigan have been appointed by the Council for the construction works with the development expected to be completed and occupied in 2025.  The project is being funded by South Dublin County Council with support through the Affordable Housing Fund from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under Housing for All, the national housing plan.

Cost rental housing provides affordable rented accommodation to people on middle incomes who are above the threshold for social housing but have difficulty affording private rented accommodation.  The rent payable by tenants in this development will be directly linked to the cost of building, managing and maintaining the homes and will be at discounted to at least 25% below local market rents through the Affordable Housing Fund subsidy.

Speaking at the official sod turning, Minister O’Brien said:“I am delighted to turn the sod on the State’s first Local Authority led Cost Rental Scheme. Cost Rental is a new form of tenure here in Ireland, it’s where rents are charged which cover the cost of delivering, managing and maintaining the homes only, so they are not driven by profits. They are safe and secure rental homes where people can set down their roots if they want to, safe in the knowledge the State is backing them. Under Housing for All we will see at least 18,000 Cost Rental homes delivered across the country by our Local Authorities, our AHBs and the LDA. I want to highly commend Danny and South Dublin County Council for making this a reality,” he concluded.

Mr. Danny McLoughlin, Chief Executive, South Dublin County Council said:“Quality, affordable rental accommodation is now and will continue to be a critical element of Government led housing delivery policy. This is the first of many such developments planned by South Dublin County Council. It is a quality development, in what we believe will be a highly sought after location within this new Innovation District. The Elected Councillors who have supported this innovative project are to be commended for taking this first important step in what is a new broader housing delivery role for local government.”

Ger Ronayne, Chief Executive Officer, JJ Rhatigan & Company said:"We are delighted to get started on this much-needed housing project for the people of Tallaght. We understand the urgency of the need for high-quality affordable housing and we are committed to delivering all 133 apartments by mid-2024. Our use of precast concrete and other modern methods of construction will allow us to speed up delivery, and we are excited to see the positive impact this development will have on the community and the wider area into the future.”  

Cllr. Emma Murphy, Mayor of South Dublin County Council added: “Today is a landmark day in South Dublin as we show leadership in the provision of housing and are showing innovative housing solutions for the people of South Dublin. As we turn the sod on the first Local Authority led Cost Rental Scheme in the State, we are aiming to provide a Cost Rental option, an affordable long-term rental option to residents in South Dublin who want to work and live in this community. It is a pivotal day for people in Tallaght and throughout the County as we embrace this new model here in South Dublin. I am delighted that the project has the full backing of Minister Darragh O’Brien and his office which will allow for people to embed and thrive here in our local community in Tallaght.”