Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Gerald Mitchell, officially launched Amharc Muileann, a development of 137 homes delivered by Co-operative Housing Ireland on Bloodmill Road in Limerick this morning. Earlier in the day they opened another estate of 110 homes in Móineír, Clonmacken. Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI) has delivered 339 new homes since January and is on target to achieve a record year of 700+ homes.

Speaking at the launch, CHI Chairperson Pearse O’Shiel said, “Co-operative Housing Ireland has had a record first six months delivering 339 homes and is on target to deliver more than 700 homes in 2023. Yet we want to do more. There is now a consensus that housing output needs to increase beyond targets set in Housing for All. The Minister has previously stated that his department, with the support of the Economic and Social Research Institute, are planning to revise targets, which we welcome. It is imperative that the ratio 1:2 whereby 1 in every 3 homes are social houses, established under Housing for All, is maintained when delivery targets are increased.”

Mr O’Shiel continued, “Approved Housing Bodies like Co-operative Housing Ireland are pivotal in providing social housing. Last year, the sector provided almost half of overall social housing delivery. CHI delivered approximately 10% of this.”

Amharc Muileann comprises eight one-bed apartments, 36 two-bed apartments, 91 three-bed houses, two four-bed houses. The majority of households in Amharc Muileann are working families with children. The homes were delivered in phases throughout 2022 and 2023. New Co-operative Member and Amharc Muileann resident, Frances Mary O’Sullivan, spoke about the relief of getting allocated a home in Amharc Muileann when her landlady decided to sell, “It was a home, but it was never our own. I always had the fear that the landlady would sell. In the end, she did me a favour when she decided to because now, we have a stable home and I know my children have somewhere to live if anything were to happen to me.”

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said, “I’m delighted to be here at the launch of Amharc Muileann, Bloodmill Road, Co. Limerick, as 137 families move into their homes. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for each of you, as you settle in and become part of the wider community.”

Minister O’Brien continued, “Last year social housing delivery was the highest in almost 50 years and we are on target to deliver more in 2023. Co-operative Housing Ireland and other Approved Housing Bodies are key partners in achieving the Government’s housing strategy, ‘Housing for All’. AHBs are expected to provide between 43% and 50% of the 9,100 new-build social homes due to be completed this year. I commend Co-operative Housing Ireland on delivering 463 homes last year, its ambition for 2023 and this impressive development in Amharc Muileann in partnership with Limerick City and County Council.”

At present, Co-operative Housing Ireland manages 353 social-rented homes in county Limerick, more than any other Approved Housing Body.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr. Gerald Mitchell said, “Homes delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies like Co-operative Housing Ireland are crucial to relieving the current housing need. The homes provided here at Amharc Muileann are truly affordable with security of tenure. I had the opportunity to visit another new CHI estate this morning, 110 homes at Móinéir, Clonmacken to see the quality of the homes there too. These homes are a testament to what co-operation between Limerick City and County Council and Co-operative Housing Ireland can achieve together.”

Amharc Muileann was delivered in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Agency, and Formation homes.