Minister visits Fingal to discuss housing targets for 2021 and Covid-19 response

The Minister met with the Chief Executive, AnnMarie Farrelly, and some members of the Fingal management team to discuss and update him on the work the Council has done in such an unprecedented year.

Housing delivery and Covid-19 support were top of the list for discussion. The Minister praised the work carried out by all in the Council during the pandemic, particularly through the Community Call initiative which saw a co-ordinated, cross-agency approach to helping the vulnerable members of our communities.

Following the Minister’s visit to County Hall in Swords, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: “We were delighted to have Minister O’Brien with us to update him on the work of Fingal County Council this year. We were pleased to update him on our delivery of social housing and affordable housing targets this year and to discuss the ambitious plans we have for getting people into homes for 2021. We are looking forward to working with him and his officials to get these projects over the line and to deliver and activate more sites where possible.”

Speaking during his visit Minister O’Brien said: “I am delighted to be back to Fingal, my own county, to meet with the Chief Executive and management team of Fingal County Council. This visit is to talk about our plans and targets in 2021 for housing delivery and what our targets need to be for next year to deliver social and affordable housing for our citizens. These are exciting but realistic targets and I am excited to see we’re going to have the first affordable housing scheme here in Fingal in Lusk next year.

“Another purpose of my visit was to thank Fingal County Council and all their staff for the incredible work that they have done this year in ensuring the continued delivery of key services to the public during the Covid-19 pandemic. This year has been very difficult for our citizens and businesses but Fingal, and all other local authorities, have stepped up and led from the front in the Government’s response to this pandemic in supporting citizens and businesses.”

During his visit, Minister O’Brien also viewed the Sack of Balbriggan exhibition currently on display in Fingal County Council which commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the attack on the town during the War of Independence.

You can watch the Minister’s visit on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/V20J_oJ15HE