Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Central Mary Lou McDonald and North Inner City Councillor Janice Boylan met with residents across the community today to discuss Dublin City Council managements recently published plan for the redevelopment of O’Devaney Gardens.

Dublin City Councillors will vote on the proposed redevelopment of the land during the Council’s next meeting on Monday (7th October).

Sinn Féin is calling on all Councillors from across the political spectrum to work together to deliver a development for O’Devaney Gardens that meets the community’s needs and delivers truly affordable homes for local families.

The Sinn Féin leader said:

“Fine Gael is yet again failing on its commitment to deliver affordable homes for working families. The financing model imposed on Dublin City Council by government has created a cash cow for the developer and placed the so-called affordable allocation of homes out of reach for ordinary families.

“Sinn Féin fought hard for the redevelopment of O’Devaney. We were prepared to compromise but management’s plan published last month is a compromise too far. I’m calling on Councillors from all political parties and none to work with Sinn Féin to deliver the development that meets the needs of the community and delivers genuinely affordable homes for them.”

North Inner City Cllr Janice Boylan said:

“Since my election in 2014 I have worked hard to deliver the redevelopment of O’Devaney Gardens. I was reared in this community so my commitment to the area and its people runs deep. We have lived with the harsh realities from decades of neglect by governments including Fine Gael. Sinn Féin supported the redevelopment plan on the basis that it would deliver decent homes for families trapped in O’Devaney’s dilapidated flats and affordable homes for the wider community.

“We only have one chance to get the redevelopment of O’Devaney Gardens right. As a Councillor for this area I cannot stand over a plan that will profit a private developer to the tune of millions of euro and push local working families out of the community.

“My family, friends and neighbours deserve better.

“Sinn Féin supports the plan to redevelop O’Devaney but this proposal is a kick in a teeth for a community that has endured historic neglect. Dublin City Councillors must now work together to deliver a better deal for the people of the north inner city.

Housing SPC member Cllr Daithí Doolan said:

“Sinn Féin has highlighted time and again the shortcomings of using private developers to build social and affordable homes. Dublin City Council managements proposal for O’Devaney Gardens only serves to line the pockets of the developer.

“Dublin City Councillors need to rally together to urgently develop a new pathway to deliver social, affordable & cost rental homes for this community. The St. Michaels Estate funding model demonstrates that Dublin City Council can deliver a redevelopment project that meets the needs of the north inner city.”