Some work on Dublin City Council's affordable housing project on the Oscar Traynor Road in Coolock has been paused after a number of defects were identified at the site and due to the failure to comply with building regulations.
Dublin City Council's Assistant Chief Executive for Housing Mick Mulhern said that it was not clear what impact the defects would have on the delivery timeline of the affordable housing project.
In a report to Dublin City Council, City Manager Richard Shakespeare said that during routine inspections by the Building Control Authority of the Council, concerns about compliance with some building regulations were raised with the developer Glenveagh.
The report said: "The works were not progressing in a workmanlike manner in accordance with the requirements of the building regulations.
"It is essential that where defects are identified that they are dealt with with promptly and comprehensively."
'Bombshell' report - councillor
Raising the report at the monthly Dublin City Council meeting, Labour Party group leader Councillor Darragh Moriarty said as one of the largest housing developments in the country, any failure to meet basic building standards at the Oscar Traynor site was hugely concerning, especially by one of the largest developers in the country.
He asked council management how concerned they were about the issue and if they felt the supervision by Glenveagh prior to the inspections had been inadequate.
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Independent Councillor for the area John Lyons described the report as a "bombshell" and said more details were needed on the nature of the issues and the remedial action required.
He called for more information about the problems identified and particularly more information about the cost of the remedial works and who is going to pay for it.
Mr Mulhern said the council building control section flagged issues with some of the works on the site in October or November last and raised them with the developer.
He said Glenveagh issued a "fairly substantial" report and that discussions are now under way between the developer and the council on a set of works to deal with the issues and "defects" identified with early phase housing in the Oscar Traynor Road site.
Mr Mulhern said while it was a "challenge" to address, the council was trying to ensure that they get the right solution in a timely manner.
He said that while he hoped the issue was minimal, the work needed was still being finalised so it was not clear what if any impact it could have on the delivery timeline, but that he believed the developers were taking the issue seriously.
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Last year, the Coolock development attracted controversy when it was revealed that homes in the housing scheme were significantly higher than expected, with the price of a three-bedroom home up to €475,000.
Dublin City Council signed off on the deal for the redevelopment of the land, which is located near the Port Tunnel, in November 2021 following a number of years of difficult negotiations.
Labour Councillor Darragh Moriarty said the revelations were of serious concern.
"Any failure to meet basic building standards on a site as significant as the Oscar Traynor development is concerning.
"The fact that inadequate building standards were not flagged until DCC building control carried out inspections raises serious questions about the supervision and oversight by Glenveagh prior to this intervention," he said.
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Meanwhile, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said this has raised serious questions for the developer.
He said: "Oscar Traynor Woods has turned out to be anything but affordable, with some three-bed homes costing as much as €475,000. Given the exorbitant prices being sought for these homes, it is completely unacceptable that issues with building regulation compliance should now arise.
"In this country, we know all too well the human toll and financial hardship caused by the thousands of defective homes built during the Celtic Tiger years. We cannot afford to go down that road again."
In a statement, Glenveagh Properties said they are continuing to work constructively with Dublin City Council on the Oscar Traynor Road development.
"No homes in this development have been completed yet, as construction works are still at an early stage.
"Each of the homes will be completed to the high standards that are rightly expected of us.
"We have provided detailed responses to the council's requests for information and are committed to resolving any issues arising from these requests to the satisfaction of all parties."
