A Wicklow-Wexford TD has criticised Wicklow County Council over what he says is a lack of progress on affordable housing in Arklow, after it emerged that no applications have been submitted for government-backed affordable purchase or starter home schemes in the area.
Deputy Malcolm Byrne said it was "deeply frustrating" that Arklow residents have yet to benefit from affordable housing initiatives despite significant government funding being available and similar schemes progressing elsewhere in the county and across the country.
The criticism follows confirmation from the Department of Housing that no applications or plans have been received for starter home delivery in the Arklow area.
The department also confirmed that while more than 22,000 affordable housing supports have been delivered nationally since 2022, including over 1,000 in Wicklow, none of the affordable purchase homes delivered in the county to date have been located in Arklow.
Affordable housing schemes are designed to help families and individuals purchase homes at below-market rates, often with support from local authorities.
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Speaking about the issue, Deputy Byrne said delays in housing development in Arklow had previously been attributed to a lack of sewerage capacity, but argued that obstacle has now been resolved.
"We need to provide homes for people, and government is making large sums of money available for housing," he said.
"There are affordable housing schemes being developed all over Ireland, including in other parts of Co. Wicklow and in Gorey. The delays on home building in Arklow were put down to the lack of sewerage capacity in the past. That issue has been addressed."
He questioned why Arklow continues to fall behind other parts of the county.
"Wicklow County Council really need to prioritise providing social and affordable housing for Arklow. I don't doubt they are doing a good job in the north of the county, but why is Arklow not seeing any proposals being developed?" he asked.
The Fianna Fáil TD said he has been attempting for several weeks to arrange a meeting with the council's Housing Section to discuss the issue but has so far been unsuccessful.
"I am happy to work with the council in securing funding from government but we need to see a proactive approach to identifying potential affordable schemes," he added.
In response, Wicklow County Council said it is continuing to work towards increasing affordable housing opportunities across the county, including in Arklow.
A council spokesperson acknowledged that fewer affordable housing schemes have been delivered in Arklow than in other parts of Wicklow but insisted efforts are ongoing.
The council said it is "actively engaging with developers and exploring all available opportunities to increase affordable housing supply in the town" and highlighted discussions aimed at securing affordable units within the planned Sheephouse development in Arklow.
The local authority also pointed to challenges affecting housing delivery in the area, stating that one of the main difficulties has been the lower number of large-scale residential developments progressing in Arklow compared with elsewhere in the county.
According to the council, larger developments such as Mariners Point in Wicklow Town and Market Close in Dunlavin have enabled affordable homes to be secured through Part 5 planning agreements.
It also referenced a 26-unit mixed social and affordable housing scheme at Lott Lane in Kilcoole, which is expected to progress this year on council-owned land. Similar council-led developments are being examined for other locations across Wicklow, including Arklow and surrounding areas.
Despite the council's explanation, Deputy Byrne maintains that the absence of any affordable housing applications in Arklow is unacceptable and leaves local residents at a disadvantage compared with other communities.
With local authorities set to prepare new housing delivery action plans under the Government's Delivering Homes, Building Communities strategy, pressure is expected to grow on Wicklow County Council to ensure concrete affordable housing proposals are brought forward for Arklow in the years ahead.
