Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy T.D. visited the new residential development at Nuncio Park, Kilkenny on 1st August 2019.

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy TD was onsite at Nuncio Park in Kilkenny City to visit a new residential development by Respond which includes 50 new homes including 4 one bed apartments, 18 two bed apartments, 8 two bed houses, 17 three bed houses and 3 four bed houses. This project is in partnership with Kilkenny County Council, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Housing Finance Agency. This is part of Respond’s National Delivery Programme with 1,021 homes currently under construction and on site.

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy T.D. commenting on this development said:

‘’I’m delighted to visit this Respond development in Nuncio Park, Kilkenny and to see the progress being made to building these houses for families and individuals who need them. We are working very closely with local authorities and voluntary housing associations like Respond, to deliver housing projects across the country. This development represents 50 new homes for 50 families and individuals who can create a community here and I hope they will be very happy. Our plan to dramatically increase supply is working but still there is a lot more work to do for those who are depending on us, not least those in emergency accommodation. I will continue to drive the delivery of new houses and housing solutions, working with the local authorities and housing bodies.”

Niamh Randall, Head of Advocacy and Communications speaking about this development said:

“Kilkenny is important to Respond and our development programme as a national Housing Association. We are looking forward to welcoming families and individuals into their new homes here in Nuncio Park with phase one due to be completed in Quarter 4 2019, phase two in Quarter 1 2020 and phase three in Quarter 3 2020*. This project is the result of ongoing co-operation and collaboration; we would like to thank all of our partners which include Kilkenny County Council, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Housing Finance Agency. We reiterate our firm commitment to building homes throughout the country for families and individuals who are in housing need, with 1,021 new homes under construction and on site nationally right now.

“A secure place to call home is critical to the quality of life and wellbeing of individuals and families. We see first-hand the devastating impact of homelessness and insecure housing in our work with families and children. Our long term aim is to provide lifetime social and affordable homes to a far greater proportion of the population, bringing Ireland more into line with our European counterparts. We have also committed to supporting households and individuals experiencing homelessness on their journey back to independent living and providing safe and secure housing in the short-term in the form of supported temporary emergency accommodation”.

This development includes a unit mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes to help address social housing need in this area. According to the latest available figures in the Social Housing Needs Assessment (2018) there are almost 1,000 households on the social housing waiting list in Kilkenny. The Development is 1km from the centre of Kilkenny City. It is accessible via Waterford Road and Bennettsbridge Road which connects it to the N10, N76 and the M9 going to Dublin and Waterford City.

Niamh Randall, Head of Advocacy and Communications continued speaking about the work of Respond:

“Respond believes that every person has the right to a secure, affordable home that meets their needs throughout their lifetime. Our vision is that every family and individual in Ireland will have high-quality housing as part of a vibrant and caring community. This is challenging with the current housing and homeless crisis and we are concerned that the numbers of men, women and children in emergency accommodation continues to grow. At the heart of this is ensuring the supply of social and affordable housing at scale to meet the levels of housing need. We are very clear that all families and individuals want, need and deserve a secure home of their own and that all efforts must be redoubled to achieve this”.

Respond, who have been working across Ireland for 36 years, continues to offer real on-the-ground solutions by building new homes and actively working with families who are homeless with 1,021 homes under construction and on site this year so far, 6 family hubs and a commitment to deliver 2,500 homes by 2023.

*Anticipated completion dates for the Nuncio Park Development

• Phase 1: 15 houses due for completion Quarter 4 2019.
• Phase 2: 13 houses due for completion Quarter 1 2020.
• Phase 3: 22 apartments for completion Quarter 2 2020.

Posted: August 2019