News from Carrickmacross

This project involves the demolition of 21 existing OPD’s and the construction of 22 new units on the same site which will be of huge benefit to the community and particularly elderly residents. The units have been gradually vacated in anticipation of the demolition and construction work. However, the onset of the recession in the last few years meant that funding for the project was put on the long finger leaving many to wonder if the project would ever become a reality.

In recent months the now derelict OPDs have been described as a ‘rathole’ due to ongoing anti-social behaviour in and around them. The funding has finally been released by Housing Minister Michael Finneran TD following intense lobbying by local councillors and by Carrickmacross Town Manager Mr Paul Clifford who has visited the Department to stress that the overall project was at an advanced stage.

Fianna Fáil TD’s Margaret Conlon and Dr. Rory O’Hanlon and Councillors PJ O’Hanlon, Mayor of Carrickmacross, and Padraig McNally have welcomed the announcement from the Minister. A joint statement from the Fianna Fail politicians stated: ‘This is a fantastic announcement for the community and follows a series of meetings with Minister Finneran. The construction of the new residential units has been anticipated for some time and we are very glad this funding commitment has been approved by the Minister. We look forward to seeing the work on this project get underway very soon.’

The statement went on to say that the project has been a major priority for the Fianna Fáil TDs and councillors. ‘This is a very important investment in the community in Cloughvalley and will be of particular benefit to the elderly residents who will reside in the new units.? The delay in allocating this funding has lead to considerable debate among councillors from all parties at both Town and County Council level in recent years.

However, Sinn Féin Councillor, Matt Carthy, in welcoming the allocation said that it was a disgrace that houses had been left vacant since 2004 for so long at a time when there were hundreds of people on the local authority housing waiting list. He added that he too has been campaigning to have the project expedited for several years.

‘I welcome the announcement that, finally, €2.9 million has been allocated towards the demolition and rebuild of the OPD houses in Cloughvalley. I have been extremely angry with the fact that previous tenants were moved out of their homes only for the houses to be left vacant and boarded up for the past couple of years. The houses had become an eye-sore and a focal point for anti-social behaviour.’

‘The government’s social housing programme has become a charade. No funding is forthcoming for the purchase and building of new houses for the hundreds of individuals and families on local housing waiting lists. Instead money is being squandered on leasing programmes which will just create long term problems for the state and for local authorities. The fact that houses in public ownership had been left idle for so long just exemplified this failed policy.’ Cllr Carthy concluded: ‘I am now calling on everyone involved to ensure that the Remedial Works Scheme proceeds, and is completed, without any further delay.’