Housing Minister officially opens new accessible social homes in Clonmel

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, today officially marked the opening of Clúid Housing’s development of nine social homes at Glenconnor Close, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, with the planting of a tree.

Residents, drawn from Tipperary County Council’s housing list, moved into their new houses in late November 2022, and are delighted with their new homes.

New Clúid resident, Anne Andrews, commented: “When I turned the key in the front door the first time I had a feeling of ‘Yes, I’m home’. Moving into Glenconnor Close is the best thing to happen to me in a long time. It’s a new beginning. Thank you for my beautiful forever home.”

The scheme is composed of six two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, two two-bedroom terraced bungalows, and one three-bedroom terraced bungalow.

The homes have been built in accordance with the principle of Universal Design, which strives for homes that can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. The homes feature level-access floor and bathrooms, making them particularly well-suited for residents with accessibility requirements.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said: “It’s great to be here today to officially open these news homes at Glenconnor Close, Clonmel. What was once a vacant site, is now a forever home for nine families. I commend Tipperary County Council and Clúid Housing for their hard work in producing these beautiful, well-designed houses, and we continue to support them to deliver on the Government’s housing policy and targets set out under Housing for All.”

Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Cllr. Roger Kennedy, commented at the launch, “I would like to congratulate Clúid for the quality of dwelling they have delivered and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for providing the necessary funding and supports that enable the completion of such projects which can provide the long-term security we all need as individuals to go about our daily lives.”

Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council, Joe MacGrath, stated, “It is by working together in collaboration that we will meet the housing needs in the County as set out in Housing for All and as a county we have a good working relationship with the Approved Housing Bodies and very much compliment Clúid of their achievement here in Clonmel.”

James O’Halloran, Head of New Business, Clúid Housing, said, “We’re delighted to be joined by Minister O’Brien, Cllr Murphy and Joe MacGrath to officially open our new scheme at Glenconnor Close, Clonmel. Just like the tree the Minister is planting here today, we are hopeful that the new community here will grow, mature and get stronger.

“Clúid is committed to building sustainable communities that continue to be great places to live, long into the future. We welcome our new residents and wish them every happiness for the future.”