Age-friendly housing schemes finally open in Springfield

THE age-friendly social housing schemes at Maplewood and Fernwood in Springfield were officially opened by housing minister Darragh O’Brien last Friday, after the developments were beset with delays, reports Aideen O’Flaherty.

The neighbouring residential developments, called Fernwood Green and Maplewood Heights, are managed by Clann, the age-friendly arm of Clúid Housing, and contain a total of 40 bungalows.

Many of the new residents who greeted the minister and local politicians at the opening last week had previously been on the council’s housing list or were down-sizing from larger properties.

Dominic Ritchie, a resident of the Maplewood development, said: “It’s great to be in my new home.

“Having my own space gives me so much more independence and freedom.

“I’m looking forward to being able to have my family over, and for my grandchildren to be able to stay.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said: “It’s wonderful to be here today to meet some of Clúid’s newest residents.

“Getting the keys to your new ‘forever home’ is wonderful at any time of the year, but there is something particularly special about hearing how these residents are preparing to spend their first Christmas in their new homes.

“Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan, identified the need for greater housing options as an area for priority and I must again commend Clúid and South Dublin County Council on their collaboration to deliver these beautiful homes, which were designed to meet the needs of older people and to allow them to continue to live in, and contribute to, their local community.

“2023 was a strong year for housing delivery and we continue to support Clúid and other not-for-profit Approved Housing Bodies to deliver on the Government’s housing targets by contributing to the 33,000 housing completions we’re targeting in 2024.”

The opening follows on from a difficult few years that saw the housing projects being delayed due to a variety of factors.

The work on the developments was tendered in 2020, with work commencing on site later that year with an expected completion date in October 2021.

However, the two developments were delayed to November 2021, and again until March 2022, and then August/September 2023, before ultimately being completed this month.

The council said that supply chain issues, Covid-19, Brexit, and rising interest rates and inflation impacted the appointed contractor, FORRME, and led the council to terminate the contract.

Completion of the works was then re-tendered, with Cleary and Doyle Construction winning the contract and commencing work last February and bringing the schemes to completion.

The Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, Colm Ward, said: “We were delighted to collaborate with Clúid Housing, their dedicated age-friendly housing service, Clann Housing, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to realise the council’s vision for this development.

“Under both our Rightsizing Policy and our Housing Delivery Action Plan, we developed the initial plans and provided the land for this project, as well as participating in research on rightsizing with Age Friendly Ireland and others to support the delivery of age friendly housing within local communities.

“It is great to see that vision realised in the heart of a local community in Tallaght, close to well-established amenities, services and supports where new residents will enjoy high-quality, energy efficient homes designed for their needs along with a community facility to provide a place for connecting and I would particularly like to acknowledge the support of local councillors who made this project possible.”

Initially valued at €9.5m, the 23 homes at Fernwood and 17 homes with a community room at Maplewood were voted through by South Dublin County councillors in 2018.