Donegal’s housing delivery has come under the spotlight during a ministerial visit to the county today.
Housing Minister James Browne officially launched the €7 million revival of the Old Letterkenny Courthouse, part of the €128 million THRIVE scheme, which will transform the historic building into a flagship community and tourism destination.
The project will see the long-vacant courthouse redeveloped into a space for exhibitions, education, civic use and tourism, as part of wider regeneration efforts across the country.
The Minister is also due to meet the Defective Concrete Block Committee later this afternoon.
Minister Browne says he expects several announcements relating to defective concrete in the coming weeks:
Speaking at the Old Courthouse in Letterkenny today, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council John McLaughlin said the county is performing at a record level in terms of housing delivery.
He said there are currently around 600 homes under construction across the county through council-led projects, alongside defective concrete rebuilds and private developments.
The comments have generated divided opinion.
Sinn Féin Chief Whip, Deputy Pádraig MacLochlainn says he was taken aback by the statement.
However, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Paul Canning says that efforts are underway to increase the threshold for affordable housing, and that today is a good day in the county:
