*Photograph: Joe Buckley
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL are expected to lodge applications with the Department of Housing for two projects under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme.
Ennis and Shannon are to be put forward as the applications with senior officials in the housing section of Clare County Council meeting with Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien (FF) to discuss the proposal on Monday.
Minister O’Brien urged the local authority to move swiftly with the submission. “I’ve approved about 30 affordable purchase schemes across the country, this is Council led affordable schemes. We’ve seen our first one in place in Limerick, Westmeath and I expect Clare shortly, a submission is being worked through, it’s with the local authority right now who are doing a lot of good work on that. I want to see those applications in as soon as possible, if we can get them in before Christmas and the maths stacks up which I expect it to do so that I and this Government will support the delivery of those affordable housing schemes here in Clare, they would be significant both of those schemes that I’ve seen, I’m awaiting the submission, we’re working together and we work really well with Clare County Council.
He added, “I’ve a good personal relationship with the housing team, the Chief Executive and with my own colleagues, Timmy Dooley, Cathal Crowe and Joe Carey who are with me here today, Clare is always on my radar, I want to see affordable homes delivered here. Through the affordable home scheme we’ve seen the first approvals for Clare which is good. Clare County Council will have my support when the submission comes in”.
