O'Brien 'looking' at Longford's affordable housing options

In a visit to the county the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Darragh O'Brien, identified the need for such a provision.

“I am working on a bespoke scheme that we can roll out for people in Longford,” he told the Leader, “We've approved over 50 schemes across the country in 19 different counties. There are unique challenges here in Longford. I am looking at how we can frame such a scheme.”

The Minister was in Longford for the opening of the town's Public Realm Enhancement Project. That initiative saw significant works on the public realm at Market Square, Grafton Court and The Shopping Centre.

A council funded package totalling nearly €14 million was made available for the Camlin Quarter Regeneration Project in Longford town under the government’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).

Minister O'Brien, said the town improvements are vital for the county town: “The centrepiece of my visit is to launch the Longford Connected URDF. This is a fund we have provided in government that has resulted in the completion of the project we see here today. It's very good public realm works that have improved access and improved the aesthetics of the town.”

The Minister for Housing and Local Government said there are further developments in the pipeline: “We have also made significant grant aid allocation under the second round of the URDF for the Camlin Quarter. There are four or five projects under that . I got an update on that.

“We are here to support the work of Longford County Council. The team has done a really good job here. It's important we sit down with our Oireachtas members like Joe Flaherty, the Cathaoirleach and the councillors and listen to the challenges they face.”

Other areas highlighted by the Minister as integral to the development of Longford were housing adaptation grants and waste water infrastructure: “We have seen the fantastic success of Center Parc. We need to address its potential for expansion and make provision for the people who are working there.

“We will be meeting with Uisce Éireann and the local authority in the coming weeks in relation to that particular issue to see how we can expedite the expansion, particularly at Edgeworthstown, to facilitate additional homes to be built there.”