130 people are now in emergency accommodation in Offaly

130 PEOPLE are now in emergency accommodation in Offaly, according to the latest figures. During a recent Offaly County Council (OCC) meeting it was revealed that 45 single people and 21 couples / families comprising of 29 adults and 56 children are supported in this way.
The meeting was also told that there are 579 on the Social Housing Support List and a further 375 active tenancies are currently being supported under the Housing Assistance Payments Scheme.
A member of the Council housing staff told the meeting that the Council's total housing stock is 2,226, and the number of maintenance requests by residents in these houses received during the month of December was 313.
The Councillors were also given the Housing Capital Programme Update: In Macregol Drive Scurragh Birr 10 units are planned. Consultants have been appointed for these units and survey works are being carried out. The project is working towards a Stage 2 submission.
On Sycamore Drive Ballycumber 10 units are planned. A revised Stage 2 submission for enabling works has been requested and OCC are actively working with the ESB on a "solution for the site”.
In Beechwood Court Circular Road, Daingean Site 2, 10 Units are on the way. Workers are on site and completion will happen during 2026.
On Dargan Drive, Chancery Lane, Tullamore 20 new units are going to be built. “It is hoped,” the Councillors were told, “that a stage 3 will be submitted to the Department once the ESB lines on the site are undergrounded.”
Two units are on the way on Elderberry Drive Moneygall 2. Consultants have been appointed and survey works are being carried out.
A number of Single Stage projects are also on the way. These include: Belmont 7, Tullamore 6, Birr 2 – a total of 15 units. Consultants have been appointed.
Councillors were given a brief rundown of Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) Schemes: Respond Housing, 77 units were completed in 2024 and 2025 in Kingswood Ardan Lane Tullamore.
Sofia Housing: 37 units with stage 2 approval at Presentation Lands, Portarlington. Awaiting submission from the Approved Housing Body.
The housing staff also outlined the various Turnkey Developments for the Councillors (Turnkey Developments are housing projects where a private developer or builder constructs residential units and sells the completed, finished homes directly to a purchaser, most commonly local authorities or approved housing bodies (AHBs). The term "turnkey" means the home is fully finished, decorated, and ready for immediate occupation upon completion.) Among the various Turnkeys are: MacRegol, Birr - 12 turnkey units – complete.
Cois na hAbhainn Ferbane - 2 turnkey units – completion Q1 2026.
Cappaneale Place (Forest View) Birr - 22 Turnkey Units - Completion 2025 / 26. 3 units delivered in Q4 2025. Ard Garán Ballyvora, Ferbane -1 Part V unit (social housing) – completion Q1 2026.
Ridley Place Collins Lane Tullamore - 25 Part V units – completion in 2026. Scotts Avenue Puttaghan, Tullamore - 24 part V units – ten for completion in 2026.
Ballydownan Geashill - 1 part V unit – completion Q 4 2026.

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