Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin has slammed Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy for his refusal to meet a delegation regarding the affordable housing issue in Clondalkin.

A cross-party delegation of TDs was formed, who wanted to discuss the needs for affordable housing at the Grange/Kilcarberry site.

Deputy Ó Broin said: "South Dublin County Council management have been working on a proposed housing development on the Grange/Kilcarberry site in Clondalkin, Dublin 22. The development could see up to 900 houses build over five years.

"Despite repeated calls over many years for the Department of Housing to directly fund a Council-led mixed-income and mixed-tenure development on the site, the Department insisted on a private sector-led joint venture funding model.

"Sinn Féin councillors have consistently said that the site must be used for social and affordable housing. The current proposal includes 30% social, which is welcome. However, the remainder of the housing would be sold at open market prices by the private developer.

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"Similar private housing developments in the area, such as Adamstown, have price ranges from €320,000 to €500,000.  

"At last month's Council meeting, a majority of Councillors voted to defer a decision on the sale of the land to the private developer and called on the Minister of Housing to work with Council management to ensure the delivery of affordable housing on this site.

"Following the Council vote, Deputies John Curran of Fianna Fáil, Gino Kenny of People Before Profit, Catherine Martin of the Green Party, Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats, and I wrote to Minister Murphy seeking an urgent meeting to discuss the issue.

"Over the past four weeks, we have written to Minister Murphy on three separate occasions asking for a cross-party meeting. The Minister has so far refused to meet us.

"It is our view and the view of the majority of Councillors that selling this land to allow a private developer profit from the sale of overpriced unaffordable homes is not good housing policy.

"Minister Murphy says that he wants to work with the opposition to deliver solutions to the housing crisis. Here is an opportunity to provide real affordable housing for working families yet the Minister won't even meet with a cross party delegation of TDs.

"The Grange/Kilcarberry development has the potential to provide social and affordable homes for people from and working in South Dublin. The Minister's refusal to meet with us and ensure that affordable homes are delivered on this site is a disgrace."

(CM/MH)