Recent statistics supplied by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, shows that Meath County Council has delivered 169% of their new-build delivery against overall social housing new-build targets from 2022 to 2024. During this period, Meath County Council provided 1,405 homes against a delivery target of 832.
Speaking this week, Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said: “We are pleased with the recent data supplied by the Department of Housing showing Meath County Council is among the best in the country for new build delivery against our overall social housing new-build targets. “We aren’t highlighting this for a pat on the back. We are highlighting it to reiterate that, in the middle of a national housing crisis, we remain focused on addressing the unique housing needs and challenges for the people of Meath.
“The work continues. Recently, we officially opened 231 new homes in Navan, Clonee, and Ashbourne, and we continue to be as proactive as possible engaging with all relevant stakeholders to ensure we can provide as much high-quality housing as possible.”
While this comes as good news in the county with regard to housing ,at the Ashbourne MD Meeting last month, saw a vote to turn down a proposal to build 79 homes on for social housing on lands owned by the council. In a split vote three to three casting vote went to the Cathaoirleach Fianna Fail Cllr Conor Tormey. He voted against the proposal. Three of the councillors vetted frustrations that there was no consideration taken to affordable housing but the executive was adamant that it was not possible within current legislation. The voting went, For; Cllrs Bonner, Jamal & Smith. Against; Cllrs Meyer, Tobin, & Tormey, as Cathaoirleach he had casting vote.
It now means back to the drawing board when the project could have provided much needed housing for families in the locality much to the annoyance of other public representatives who voiced their feelings at the time of the decision.
Above picture; Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Sharon Tolan, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe, Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, Director of Services at Meath County Council Fiona Fallon, Cathaoirleach of the Ashbourne MD Cllr Alan Tobin, Director of Services at Meath County Council Barry Lynch, and Cllr Joe Bonner, cutting the ribbon at Millrace in Ashbourne.
