Minister English turns sod on €6.8 million Social Housing Scheme at Westmeath

Mr Damien English, T.D., Minister for Housing and Urban Development, today (4 September 2018) turned the sod on 33 new social homes at Arcadia, Clonbrusk, Athlone.

Speaking at the opening, the Minister praised all involved, including Westmeath County Council, the contractors and designers.

He said the scheme, which provides high quality two, three and four bedroomed houses to cater for the different housing demands arising in Athlone and surrounding areas, “will be, without doubt, a very welcome addition to the housing stock in Westmeath when completed”.

The project, costing over €6.8 million, is funded under the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.

Earlier this year, all local authorities, including Westmeath County Council, were contacted setting out their individual social housing targets across build, acquisition and leasing for 2018 and also for 2018-2021.

He said he was very heartened by what will be achieved in Arcadia and how it shows what Westmeath County Council, and local authorities generally, are capable of doing in delivering high quality housing through the funding support available under Rebuilding Ireland.

The Minister urged the Council to continue its work to achieve its housing targets and to deliver more new housing to the standard shown with this scheme.