30 Newly Built Dublin Social Housing Units Lie Vacant

Thirty newly built social housing apartments remain vacant in Cherrywood in Dublin, almost a year after their completion, due to issues between the developer and the approved housing body. Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council today withdrew the offers to people who are waiting to be housed in the Domville apartment block due to the significant delays. They are to be offered alternative accommodation. The block of 31 two and three-bed apartments was due to be handed over to Oaklee, a not-for-profit approved housing body, last year. The units had been assigned in 2024 by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to people on the social housing waiting list, and were completed in February last year. Those offers have been withdrawn, and those hoping to move in were told they would be allocated alternative housing. At a time when up to 60,000 people are on the social housing waiting list these 30 apartments remain vacant. Inside the units, everything is complete, the kitchens fitted and floors laid. The council said it acknowledged the disappointment and uncertainty caused to those allocated the homes. It said it remained hopeful that Oaklee would be able to resolve the issues. A spokesperson for the developer, William Neville and Sons, said their legal teams have been trying to complete the transaction and hand over the properties to Oaklee but issues with finance have arisen. In a statement to RTÉ News, Oaklee said they have been working to complete the handover of the property. It said it remains ready to take ownership and begin move-ins as soon as this process is complete and that the delays were outside of its control.