A block of six apartments next to the Phoenix Park which was bought by the housing charity Depaul two years ago at a cost of €2 million has been lying empty since purchase.
The story, which was first reported in the Irish Independent, refers to Ivy Views on Blackhorse Road. It is a block of six one and two-bedroom apartments.
In a statement to RTÉ News, Depaul said it purchased the building in August 2024, and that it was not fit to occupy as social housing due to essential remedial work that had to be carried out.
The charity said those works were in relation to fire protection as part of building regulations.
The statement from Depaul said: "Once we were in, it was discovered the extent of the work was greater than expected."
It said it followed regulatory procurement guidelines and tendered for and appointed a design team before a "comprehensive full fire survey was carried out".
It said it is now in a position to go to tender for the refurbishment works, which it envisages will commence in early March and will be complete within three to four months meaning people could be living in Ivy Views by this summer.
The Green Party's leader and TD for Dublin West, the constituency Ivy Views is in, said it is important the six apartments are made available as quickly as possible.
Roderic O'Gorman said as homeless figures are at their highest ever it is particularly important.
"While six apartments might be a small amount in the context of the housing crisis, moving into these homes would make a huge difference to these families, and give them the stability of their own home," he said.
When asked about the delay in the tender process, the statement from Depaul detailed how there is "a process and a critical path which needs to be followed in the case of fire regulations and building regulations for social housing".
It said it was not possible to undertake the work while the properties were occupied and that Depaul takes its legal obligation to ensure its tenants are living in a property that is compliant and fit for purpose very seriously.
