Claims that affordable housing is not possible in Dublin city centre by Dublin City Council’s head of housing Brendan Kenny is strongly rejected by the Green Party.

Dublin MEP candidate Ciarán Cuffe says the claims are contrary to good development and that a number of sites close to the centre could be used for affordable housing.

Cllr Cuffe, Green Party spokesperson on Cities, said:

“Instead of segregated policies, we need inclusive housing for people on different incomes.

“It is crucial that we meet the housing needs of everyone in the city not just those on high incomes. The lack of housing supply continues to life miserable for many Dubliners and we need to find places to put housing to we can build thriving communities and a vibrant city.

“It is now time that we made better use of under used lands close to the city centre. That is why the Green Party is proposing that we regenerate lands at Broadstone in Phibsborough and Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines.

“Both sites are located within walking distance of centre Dublin and could provide land for thousands of decent homes for those most in need.

“The Land Development Agency must ensure that a mixture of housing is provided on the sites that it acquires. There is a golden opportunity for the new Agency to work with State Agencies such as CIE and the Department of Defence to provide a mix of social and affordable homes on lands in Dublin's inner city and elsewhere. Lessons must be learnt from the Dublin Docklands Development Agency where development rights became a developers charter for offices, but affordable and social homes are few and far between.”

Issued 4th February 2019, updated 13th February 2019