Re-Building Ireland

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Housing; Planning and Local Government the status of the Re-Building Ireland commitment to holding a competition held to champion best practice, efficient and cost effective design to enable the delivery of high quality homes in sustainable communities at an affordable level.

REPLY

Action 3.11 of Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan commits to a competition to champion best practice, efficient and cost effective design to enable the delivery of high quality homes in sustainable communities at an affordable level.

In late 2016, a call for proposals from local authorities for a suitable site for the design competition was issued. Following an evaluation process the successful site was identified as Old Whitechurch Road in Cork City.

In parallel, Cork City Council applied, qualified and secured funding under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) for the removal of overhead electricity lines and installation of a spine access route. Cork City Council is advancing this enabling infrastructure works on the site as a separate contract, this is due to commence on site shortly.

Cork City Council in conjunction with my Department are in the process of finalising the competition document, which will be tendered shortly.