Agenda and minutes

The City Council notes:

·         That almost five years on from the Housing Land Initiative being proposed not a single contract has been signed to deliver housing on the three sites under the original Housing Land Initiative (HLI)

·         That since the agreement of the HLI alternative methods of mixed income site development are now being pursued such as the St. Michael’s Estate public cost rental project

·         That both rent and purchase prices of housing in Dublin have continued to increase and that there is a very real likelihood that the private housing built on these sites will be out of reach of the majority of working households in need of housing

We recognise the urgent need to deliver housing in Dublin.  Nonetheless, we further recognise the finality of any disposal of council-owned land, and, as a result, how critical it is that we pursue the best possible option for delivering housing on the land we own.

In light of the above, the City Council resolves to prepare a comprehensive feasibility study for the delivery of public, cost rental housing on each of the Housing Land Initiative sites, in line with the proposal for St. Michael’s Estate, and that this study be placed for debate on a full meeting of Dublin City Council at least one month in advance of any disposal or contractual relationship being established in relation to the O’Devaney Gardens site.

Submitted in the names of Councillors Éilis Ryan, Michael O’Brien, Hazel De Nortúin, Paul Hand, Cieran Perry, Gary Gannon

1.    The Lord Mayor invited speakers from each political party and from the Independent Group on the motion before the meeting. on the subject of Housing Land Initiative Sites as follows :-

“The City Council notes:

ü  That almost five years on from the Housing Land Initiative being proposed not a single contract has been signed to deliver housing on the three sites under the original Housing Land Initiative (HLI)

ü  That since the agreement of the HLI alternative methods of mixed income site development are now being pursued such as the St. Michael’s Estate public cost rental project

ü  That both rent and purchase prices of housing in Dublin have continued to increase and that there is a very real likelihood that the private housing built on these sites will be out of reach of the majority of working households in need of housing

ü  We recognise the urgent need to deliver housing in Dublin.  Nonetheless, we further recognise the finality of any disposal of council-owned land, and, as a result, how critical it is that we pursue the best possible option for delivering housing on the land we own.

ü  In light of the above, the City Council resolves to prepare a comprehensive feasibility study for the delivery of public, cost rental housing on each of the Housing Land Initiative sites, in line with the proposal for St. Michael’s Estate, and that this study be placed for debate on a full meeting of Dublin City Council at least one month in advance of any disposal or contractual relationship being established in relation to the O’Devaney Gardens site”.

2.    As provided for under Standing Orders, when the discussion had proceed for more than half an hour, it was proposed by Councillor K Binchy and seconded by Councillor P McCartan, “That the question be put to the floor” This resolution was put to a vote and agreed.

3.    Following a further final contribution from Cllr E Ryan on behalf of the proposers of the motion, the Chief Executive briefed the Members on the impact of the adoption of the motion (set out at Item 1 above). An addendum to the motion was put forward by Councillor A Gilliland and seconded by Councillor A Montague – the addition of the words ‘and the Oscar Traynor Rd site’ at the end of the original motion after the words the O’Devaney Gardens site‘.

4.    The Amended motion was then put to a vote and defeated.

. The meeting concluded at 8.15pm.