Housing Minister Damien English says the official opening of a newly completed housing scheme in Sligo town this morning and the sod turn for another is proof that local authorities are back in the business of providing housing.
Minister English was welcomed to Sligo at County Hall this morning by council Cathaoirleach Cllr Martin Baker and Chief Executive Ciaran Hayes.
In County Hall, he was present for the signing of a contract for the construction of 15 new housing units at Collooney.
The county council also hopes to sign a contract in a week or so for another housing scheme of 14 units in Rosses Point.
Both of those schemes are expected to take about a year to complete.
In total, these will deliver 57 new social housing units, at a cost of €15m.
From County Hall, the minister travelled to a site at Knappagh Beg, on the Strandhill Road, where he turned the sod on a new housing scheme.
He also officially opened a newly completed social housing scheme at Fr O Flanagan Terrace, in the Forthill/Holborn Street area of Sligo.
This scheme consists of 22 housing units, costing €3.7m.
There, the minister wished new residents many years of health and happiness in their new homes.
Speaking to Ocean FM News, Minister English says all these schemes are very important in reducing the number of applicants on the housing waiting list:
These people in Fr O Flanagan Terrace were delighted with their new houses when they spoke to our reporter Harry Keaney, just after Minister English cut the ribbon and officially opened the 22-unit scheme:
