Dublin Social Housing Work Underway

Work on the regeneration of St Michael's Estate in Inchicore, Dublin is to start next September, according to a newspaper report.

The move comes more than two years since the public private partnership (PPP) scheme for the development collapsed, the Irish Times reports.

The dilapidated high-rise flats complex was one of five social housing schemes in the city that were earmarked to be developed under a PPP deal between developer Bernard McNamara and Dublin City Council.


However, the deal with Mr McNamara collapsed in May 2008.

In June last year, Irish Environment Minister, John Gormley sanctioned funding of €7.8m for the construction of 32 new social units at the estate, a fraction of the 165 which were to have been built by Mr McNamara.

A spokesman for the council said eight companies have now been shortlisted for the job and a contractor will be selected within the coming weeks, with construction scheduled to start in September.

Full redevelopment of the social housing element of St Michael’s Estate will cost about €36m, providing 137 social and affordable units, a crèche and community buildings on four acres of the 14-acre site. The council hopes private development on the rest of the site will take place after 2015.

(NS/BMcC)