Community Power to Deliver social homes in Poolbeg – more ambition now needed on affordable housing

Labour Leader Ivana Bacik TD and Cllr Dermot Lacey have welcomed a transformative agreement to deliver 176 social homes at the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone on the former Glass Bottle Site in Poolbeg.

Both public representatives paid tribute to the Irish Glass Bottle Housing Action Group and Labour representatives for their work in securing the original agreement that will deliver the homes.

They further emphasised the need for Government action to deliver the remainder of the promised social homes, and also for affordable cost rental and purchase homes on the site.

Deputy Bacik said:

“This is a major victory for the people of Dublin Bay South, achieved through persistent community action and local leadership. Plainly, this progress only happened because local residents, campaigners and Labour representatives refused to accept excuses back in 2018. Without the agreement secured then, we simply would not have these homes coming on stream in 2026.

“These 176 homes represent one of the biggest social housing deliveries for our community in decades. While this is a victory for the local community, that fact is an indictment of this Government’s lack of ambition and action when it comes to housing people in Ireland.

“Consistently, they miss their social and affordable building targets. Indeed, now the Government has in fact abandoned its annual home building targets. We must now receive clarity on the provision of affordable housing on the site. There can be no further delay.”

Councillor Lacey said:

“The agreement secures the full Part V requirement for Phases 1A, 1B and 2, plus33 additional social homes beyond obligation. It is the product of persistent, coordinated efforts over many years. Without that ongoing engagement, this delivery would not have been secured.

“This is proof of what we can achieve when we organise, when we stay hopeful, and when we demand better.

“I pay particular tribute to the Irish Glass Bottle Housing Action Group. That they have maintained their campaign’s momentum over so many years is both a tribute to them and evidence of the impact of the lack of housing supply locally. We’re now pushing hard to deliver the affordable cost-rental and affordable purchase homes the area desperately needs. This community deserves nothing less.

“The Strategic Development Zone SI 279 of 2016 of Poolbeg West Direction and Order was issued in 2018. A key condition of that was the provision of affordable units. The Minister for Housing must honour the agreement reached between DCC, his Department, the developers and local people. The lethargy of his Department on preparing for these homes has been staggering.”