Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire said today that 89 new housing projects are to begin in Dún Laoghaire, a total investment of €21,400,000 as part of the first phase of the Government’s Social Housing Strategy.

“This announcement will bring investment jobs and houses to Dún Laoghaire and I am delighted that we will receive €21,400,000 funding as part of this first phase of investment, leading to a total of 89 housing projects.

“Funding will go towards 14 houses in Rochestown House Park, 50 houses in Fitzgerald Park, 21 houses in Broadford Rise and 4 houses in St Michaels Terrace.

“Nationally €312 million has been approved by the Minister for Environment Alan Kelly and Minister for Housing, Planning & Construction, Paudie Coffey. An additional 1700 social houses will be ready by 2017 with an estimated 300 additional jobs in construction created. All will be completed by 2017.

“This is part of the Government’s €4billion social housing strategy to deliver 35,000 housing units by 2020 and to reduce the housing waiting lists by 25% nationally by 2017 based on the most recent housing need assessment report.  It is the first major investment in local authority housing for many years.

“These 100 projects across the Country are shovel ready and will deliver hundreds of much needed houses in every county.

“This is just one of the ways that we will be delivering social housing units and shows this Government’s commitment in addressing the need for more social housing here in for Dún Laoghaire.”