News

Ministerial guidance on student accommodation

Wed, Sep 29, 2021

Last week I asked the Minister for Housing what plans he had to stop much needed student accommodation being turned into temporary tourist lets. Today the Department of Housing published guidance for local authorities putting the onus on applicants seeking change of use to demonstrate that there is no longer a need for student accommodation in the area in question.

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Proposed Closure of the Owenacurra Centre

Mon, Sep 27, 2021

Before a session of the Joint Sub-Committee on Mental Health Neasa questioned representatives from the HSE on the proposed closure of the Owenacurra centre in Midleton, County Cork.

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Grangegorman Consultative Group

Mon, Sep 27, 2021

I have recently accepted an invite to become a member of the Grangegorman Consultative Group. The Consultative Group is in place to facilitate communication concerning the development of the Grangegorman site. Please get in touch if there is anything you wish me to raise.

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Is there a delay to MetroLink and DART+?

Tue, Sep 21, 2021

Media reports over the weekend claimed that the DART+ extension and Metrolink were facing 'significant delays'. This had not been officially communicated from the Department of Transport. Neasa immediately sought clarification from the Minister for Transport.

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Matts of Cabra planning application

Mon, Sep 13, 2021

The first stage in a Strategic Housing Development application for 137 Build to Rent apartments on the old Matts of Cabra site was made to An Bord Pleanála on 11th August 2021. An Bord Pleanála issued its opinion on the Pre-Application Consultation on the 28th October (essentially a number of points it would like the applicant to address in any formal application). It is now for the applicant to make a full planning application to An Bord Pleanála at which point members of the public can make an observation.

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Build-to-Rent Overconcentration

Tue, Aug 31, 2021

In a recent letter to the Minister for Housing in relation to the overconcentration of build-to-rent in Dublin’s inner city areas, Neasa called for a percentage cap on the build-to-rent element of any site, if not an outright ban. Balance is needed for sustainable communities so they do not become dominated by rental only housing models.

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Vacant Sites & Derelict Site Register

Tue, Aug 17, 2021

A short guide on how to propose adding a site to Dublin City Council's Vacant Sites Register and the Derelict Sites Register.

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Balnagowan House Planning Application

Tue, Aug 3, 2021

A property developer has started the first stage of Strategic Housing Development planning application process with An Bord Pleanála for the development of 112 apartments at the Balnagowan House site (also know as Wendon House or Bealnagown House). This step is in advance of any formal application to An Bord Pleanála at which point members of the public would be in a position to make any observations.

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