18-year wait for apartments in vacant Wexford convent continues as building ‘literally falls apart’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Almost 20 years on from an announcement that the old Mercy Convent in New Ross, Co Wexford was to be converted into 20 one-bed apartments the wait goes on for the works to be completed.

Despite promises from previous housing ministers and updates from the agency which took ownership of the building in the 1990s, it remains empty during the biggest housing crisis in modern history.

At the monthly meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) Councillor Michael Sheehan said the housing agency in question needed to be held accountable for their actions, or lack thereof.

“We need to write to the housing minister and make a formal complaint about Respond (Housing Association),” he said. “The Mercy Convent is still falling apart up there, we’re in the middle of a housing crisis; why is Respond being allowed to continue acquiring estates?

“It has a perfect estate in the Irishtown that it just doesn’t want to deal with. It needs to be brought in to the minister’s office and asked why it’s allowing the convent to literally fall apart. And it needs to be blocked from getting any more houses in Co Wexford until this is sorted out.”

In 2008 it was revealed that Respond was working to convert the old convent into 20 new one-bedroom apartments and that the works were expected to be complete by the end of that year at an estimated cost of €4.5 million.

Those plans did not come to fruition however and, in early 2020, Respond revealed plans to convert 19 one-bed apartments into ten apartments, at a cost of around €1.7m

Thereafter, in 2022, housing officer with WCC, Ms Martina Donoghue confirmed she had received an email from Respond stating that it had met with the Department for Housing and that a planning application for the apartments was to be submitted.

Offering an explanation as to why the site remained vacant and on the verge of dereliction, Cllr Sheehan said Respond does not have “the resources to do the work”.

“It’s clear Respond doesn’t see this project as a priority because it is now cost prohibitive. So, it needs to either sell it or do something with it. We need people living there,” he said.

While Cllr Sheehan’s proposal that a letter be sent to Housing Minister James Browne was subsequently agreed upon by Cathaoirleach John Dwyer, there were some who felt all the letters in the world wouldn’t make a difference where this building was concerned.

“I’ve heard Cllr Sheehan suggest a million times that we write to the minister,” said Cllr Pat Barden. “The letter we receive in response is generic and doesn’t change anything.

“Can we use the direct line we have here instead?” he asked in reference to Minister Browne’s Fianna Fáil colleague Cllr John Fleming who was sat across the table.

In this instance, Cllr Fleming wisely chose to hold his counsel.

Respond Housing Association was contacted for comment and, in a statement provided to the Irish Independent said, “Respond is fully committed to bringing the former Mercy Convent building back into use for the benefit of the local community and continues to work closely with Wexford County Council to explore all viable options for the future of the site.

“However, progress has been impacted by a number of significant challenges, including the building’s size, age, protected status and complex internal layout. These factors have made it difficult to identify a sustainable redevelopment proposal that can deliver high-quality social and Cost Rental homes while also ensuring value for money.

“Senior representatives from Respond and Wexford County Council met on site on 30 April to discuss potential options and next steps. Discussions remain ongoing as both parties continue to assess the most appropriate and viable solution for the property.

“As the scope and nature of any future redevelopment proposal are still under consideration, Respond is not currently in a position to provide a timeline for the commencement of works or an estimated project cost. Both will only become clear once a preferred option has been agreed, fully assessed and the necessary funding secured.

“Respond remains focused on increasing the supply of social and Cost Rental homes while continuing to provide and maintain quality homes and services for those who need them most. Any further updates on the future of the Mercy Convent site will be communicated as plans progress.”