Labour T.D. John Lyons, has welcomed the imminent handover of the first 60 units in the Sillogue 4 Ballymun Regeneration housing scheme, after €10.5 million works to remove pyrite from these homes.

Mr Lyons said: "The completion of the Sillogue 4 scheme – which has 122 homes overall - was held up after the discovery of pyrite in 2008. When this work stalled, it delayed the de-tenanting of the housing blocks in Ballymun and the completion of the Ballymun Regeneration Programme.

"When I was elected in February 2011, I met with the then Minister for Housing, Willie Penrose, to discuss housing issues in Ballymun including the Sillogue 4 project. As part of the plan to remove the pyrite and complete the Sillogue 4 homes, over €9 million of the cost of the remedial works was allocated by the then minister in 2011.

-- Advertisement --

"Thankfully, these remedial works on all 122 homes are nearing completion and the first 60 homes are almost ready to be handed over to Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL). The first residents expected to move in during the month of March with the other homes being occupied in the coming months.

"I know many people have been frustrated by the delay in these homes becoming available but as they will be occupied, they will be a huge boost to the area. Full credit must be given to all those involved in getting the works to this point, including BRL and the Minister for Housing, Jan O'Sullivan.

"I will keep working with the Minister and others to see the completion of the Ballymun Regeneration project and the provision of housing for all those in the area who need it."

(CD/GK)