A message from An Cathaoirleach, Denis O'Callaghan

2024 is underway and so are many projects and events to benefit citizens and communities in our County. Last year we exceeded housing targets, delivering over 900 homes between the build programme, Part V, leasing, HAP and RAS. This is a great achievement that I hope to see continue. Progress is already being made on social housing delivery as we recently opened 27 Part V social homes in Kiltiernan Wood with Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien and Tuath. 24 additional cost rental homes will be delivered in phase 1, with a further 48 homes early this year.

I am glad to hear that the first affordable purchase homes in Shanganagh, the largest social and affordable scheme in the Country, will be available this year. We are committed to making communities more environmentally responsible and energy-efficient and there was a fantastic turnout at the recent Community Climate Action Programme workshop. We have over €883k available for community climate projects and I look forward to seeing the implementation of innovative projects that work in hand with our Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. We also hosted the Zero Emission Buildings Summit earlier this year which was a great success.

As we look towards the future, preservation of history is key. I was pleased to meet attendees at the inaugural dlr People’s Archive Day, hosted by our Heritage Section, which provided expert information and advice on caring for family memorabilia and historic records. Inclusion remains at the forefront of many projects. I recently launched the dlr Age-Friendly Magazine 2024, containing advice and guidance on a variety of issues for older people, and am looking forward children making use of a second generation, We Go Swing in Kilbogget Park, allowing more accessible play. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. I was first elected a Councillor in 1991 and since then have seen the changes not only in the formation of the Council but in our County as well, as we expanded from Dún Laoghaire Borough to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

I hope to see you join me at some of the many events and opportunities dlr will be holding in 2024.