Maintenance work on 11 homes in heavily-criticised Wicklow estate completed
The Wicklow PeopleDistrict councillors in Greystones have been informed that maintenance work on 11 properties at Farankelly Close near Delgany has now been completed.
The announcement came during their December monthly meeting when officials said they have completed a survey of all houses within the estate. However, details of that survey have yet to published.
The local authority has been heavily criticised for their failure to resolve a catalogue of issues faced by residents in the area for years.
These include issues with attic insulation, water supply as well as complaints that the access ramp outside the estate is “not the correct gradient”, for wheelchairs users. Wicklow County Council received an allocation of €340,000 at the start of 2025 for planning maintenance.
The local authority made an application to the Department of Housing to spend the balance specifically on Farrankelly estate and specifically on windows and doors. By October €200,000 was left to use from that funding allocation, which has now been spent carrying out these works.
Council officials intend to sell off some of its most derelict properties to raise money for the next phase of repairs. The application to the Department of Housing for planned maintenance works has been approved.
Council chief executive Emer O’Gorman outlined in her November monthly report that finance opportunities will be developed for further phased works.
News in 90 Seconds - 29th December 2025
Following a question from Cllr Stephen Stokes during the council’s September monthly meeting, Ms O’Gorman said they were following instructions laid out by the Department.
“The Department of Housing tell us routinely that we’re supposed to fund from our own resources for housing maintenance, but this isn’t housing maintenance, this is housing refurbishment.”
During the last district meeting of the year Cllr Lourda Scott expressed the need again for the property disposals to be expedited.
“I believe 10A Mill Road is earmarked for disposal. I understand the proceeds of that sale would be ring-fenced towards repairs of Farrankelly estate. I again ask that this is progressed as a matter of urgency.”
In response, district administrator Tawnia Kearns indicated they are working to address the situation.
“The next batch of properties for disposal will include Mill Road hopefully early in the new year and that money will be ring-fenced for Farrankelly.”
Before bringing the conversation to a close, Cllr Louise Fenlon Gaskin asked for reassurances that the survey findings will be published soon.
“I’d like to see that data released so we get a full picture of what is needed over the next phase of works.” she added.