Minister officially opens 26-unit social housing project in Tullamore

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien today (Thursday) officially opened 26 new social homes developed by the Clúid Housing agency at Jackson's Hill, Tullamore.

Jackson's Hill is a recently completed scheme of six two-bed homes and twenty three-bed homes, each of which has an 'A' energy rating.

The scheme was delivered through Clúid’s 'Developer Design and Build' process, whereby Clúid purchased the site and entered into a development agreement with John Flanagan Developments which then managed the design and construction of the project.

The new homes are equipped with highly efficient air-to-water heats pumps and PV panels.

The scheme came into management in May 2022, with its residents being housed from Offaly County Council's housing list.

The rent on the units is based on Offaly County Council's rent policy and the council retains full nomination rights on the properties.

Commenting at the official opening of the development, Minister O'Brien said he was "delighted to be on site here at another brilliant development from Clúid and their partners".

"There is high demand for housing in Offaly and these much needed social homes will provide another 26 families and individuals with homes for life," said the Minister.

Daniel Forde, New Business Manager at Clúid, said: “As with all schemes, collaboration was key in ensuring the successful delivery of these high-quality sustainable homes.

"We worked extensively with Offaly County Council on this project, and these homes would not have been delivered without the support of themselves, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency, The Housing Agency and John Flanagan Developments."

The Jackon's Hill opening was one of a number of stops on the Minister's itinerary in Tullamore today, as he visited local housing developments offering a combined total of 71 new-build units in Tullamore for people on the social housing list.

His schedule began with the opening of an eight-home social housing development at Castleview, Mucklagh, and this was followed by the gathering at Jackson’s Hill.

Minister O’Brien also paid a site visit to an 18-unit social housing development at Chancery Walk, Tullamore, which incorporates four Traveller-specific Group Housing Scheme units.

The Fianna Fáil Minister’s last stop was at Clonminch, Tullamore, where Oaklee Housing is at an advanced stage of construction on 19 “age friendly” units that are due to be allocated in the coming weeks.