Still no clarity on collapse of large-scale social housing development in Wicklow

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

The Housing Minister James Browne has been strongly criticised over the collapse of a planned social housing development in Blessington.

The project, which was due to deliver 106 new units as part of a Private Public Partnership Scheme bundle, was pulled at the last minute earlier this summer, leaving families with little clarity from government on what happens next.

Speaking on the issue Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow John Brady claimed Deputy Browne is hiding behind legal proceedings to avoid explaining why this project collapsed and what the future is for these homes.

“The people of Blessington and Wicklow deserve answers. Nearly 4,500 people are on the social housing waiting list in this county, they cannot be left in the dark.”

The Wicklow TD said the minister’s decision to pull the plug at such a late stage was guaranteed to end in legal disputes.

“The decision to cancel this development at the eleventh hour was bound to lead to legal action. Staff had already been hired and site works had commenced. To walk away at that stage was to render the project essentially unviable. This fiasco is a direct result of the Minister’s failure to address the warning signs before this point.”

Brady also highlighted the long-opposed stance by his party of the use of public private partnerships for housing, warning that they are costly and inefficient.

“We have always said PPPs are an overly expensive and inefficient way to deliver social housing. This collapse proves that point. Instead of delivering for families in Wicklow, the government has tied the project up in legal disputes while refusing to say how or when the 106 homes will now be delivered.

“Legal proceedings are slow to resolve and will leave these desperately needed homes now in limbo.”

As recently as July 1, Minister Browne had assured Deputy Brady that these homes would still go ahead through “alternative procurement and delivery strategies”. Since then, there has been no update on the situation.

Brady said the government needs to provide more information on the status of the Blessington homes.

“There is now a complete shroud of secrecy surrounding this project. The government has put its head in the sand, refusing to inform the public about the future of these homes. Families in Blessington and across Wicklow are desperate for social housing, but instead of action all they are getting is silence.

“Minister Browne must urgently clarify how and when these 106 homes will be delivered.” he added.