Minister Cummins launches social and age-friendly homes across Waterford

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning John Cummins TD officially launched 50 new social homes and age-friendly homes in Waterford today.

The Minister was joined by his Department colleague Minister for Housing James Browne to officially open An Garrán in Tramore, a social housing development consisting of 50 A-rated residential units, comprising 6 one-bed, 28 two-bed, 11 three-bed and 5 disabled accessible two-bed units.

Phase 2 of the An Garrán Social Housing Development in Tramore reached substantial completion in May 2025, marking a key milestone in the continued delivery of high-quality social housing in the area. The project was delivered in just under 24 months, for an overall construction budget of just over €12.5 million, was fully funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and delivered under the ‘Housing for All’ national housing policy.

Minister Cummins said: “It is fantastic to be back in An Garrán in Tramore today, having being here 24 months ago when we turned the sod on the project.

“In Waterford, we are making real progress in addressing housing need and this development represents another important step in our ongoing work to deliver secure, modern and sustainable homes for people right across Ireland.

“Over 550 social houses are currently at various stages of delivery at present in Waterford, backed by significant capital investment by government.”

The Minister visited St. Joseph’s House, an age-friendly housing development on the landmark site of Manor Hill, where Minister Cummins was joined by other elected representatives including Chief Whip Mary Butler, the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan and Waterford City and County Council Chief Executive, Sean McKeown.

The former convent has been transformed into 71 dwellings, with 50 units located within the main building and 21 located in the various out-building clusters on the site, while the former chapel on the site has been repurposed as a community space for multiple uses by tenants.

Over €4.2 million was approved through the Repair and Lease Scheme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.  

The Repair and Lease Scheme has been pioneered in Waterford and is a significant driver in providing high quality housing solutions and at the same time has significantly addressed and delivered the return to use of vacant buildings in Waterford.

Minister Cummins said: “Waterford City and County Council are leading the way nationally with the use of the Repair and Lease scheme which is delivering much needed one and two bed housing to the market. I want to commend them for their work and when I am visiting local authorities across the country, I am asking them to deploy the best practice demonstrated by Waterford City and County Council.”

Minister Cummins then went on to Strand Hill in CroballyUpper, a Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI) project. The second phase of the development comprises 14 units. Minister Cummins was joined by elected representative, Co-operative Housing Ireland Director of Development, Padraic Clancy, project partners, and new member tenants.

The overall scheme of 25 comprises a diverse residential mix of 7 one-bedroom apartments, 13 two-bedroom units and 5 No. three-bedroom houses. Delivered under the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage’s Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) Scheme, these homes strengthen the supply of high-quality social housing and address a broad range of household needs within the locality.  

The final official function of the day was the turning of the sod at Harmony Heights in Newtown, Tramore.  This age-friendly turnkey social housing development will comprise of 20 A-rated, high quality and sustainable units.

Minister Cummins concluded: “It’s great to be in my home county of Waterford today to visit four fantastic developments and see the positive impact they are having on the new residents and the community.

"In my role as Minister for Planning & Local Government, I am constantly striving to cut red tape and make it easier to deliver much needed homes and services for our growing population.”