New Director for Housing and Community Development announced

Fingal County Council has announced that Robert Burns has taken up the role of Director for Housing and Community Development from today Monday, 24 January. 

In the position, Robert will be responsible for managing over 6,000 council-owned homes across Fingal as well as overseeing the delivery of 3,640 new homes between 2022 and 2026 to meet the Council’s targets under the Government’s Housing for All plan. He will also oversee community development and a number of other key services including integration and sport. 

He brings a wealth of experience to the job, having served as Director of Service for Infrastructure and Climate Change in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council where he had responsibility for the management and delivery of infrastructure, public realm, active travel and climate action-related projects. This included the development of a coastal mobility route as well as village renewal projects in Blackrock and Dundrum. Previously, Robert worked as a Senior Executive Engineer with Clare County Council in the Housing Department.

Robert joins the council's executive team at a time when Fingal has committed over €390 million to deliver a significant housing programme under the Government’s Housing for All initiative. He is taking over the role from Liam Burke who has been the Acting Director of Fingal’s Housing and Community Development team following the departure of Margaret Geraghty last May to the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office at the Local Government Management Agency.

Welcoming the appointment, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said: “We are delighted to be able to bring someone of Robert’s calibre to Fingal. Having his extensive experience and expertise on board will be invaluable to help drive the county to reach its ambitions around housing provision as well as developing the many community assets that benefit everyone who lives, works or visits here.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Liam Burke for his leadership and expertise over the past nine months where he has led the Council’s efforts around housing and community development, ensuring Fingal remained in a strong position to meet its targets, in what was a very challenging time.”

On starting his new role, Mr Burns said: “This is an exciting time to be at the helm of one of the key departments within Fingal and I’m looking forward to playing a leading role in helping to build upon the excellent work already underway.

“I will be particularly keen to work with local communities and stakeholder groups to help ensure there is not only good quality housing built across the county, but that we can also deliver a strong regeneration and development programme which can transform and improve neighbourhoods for residents and visitors alike.”

Currently Fingal manages and maintains a stock of around 6,000 homes and is working on the development of landbanks at Church Fields in Dublin 15, Ballymastone in Donabate and Hayestown in Rush.

A graduate of Queens University Belfast, Robert has extensive experience as an engineering consultant and also worked at Irish Rail where he specialised in the project management of infrastructure projects. Robert has a keen interest in the fields of housing, sustainable development, transportation, community development, town and village renewal and climate action.