Chai Brady
Josepha Madigan
Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins A leading social justice campaigner has described the failure to use an historic building in Dublin for homeless accommodation that is costing taxpayers almost €200,000 a year as “a mess”.
Dublin City Council are paying €16,250 a month for a property on 21 Aungier Street in the city centre despite not being able to convert it into accommodation for 25 homeless people.
In 2017 the Dublin Civic Trust objected to the development on the grounds it could compromise the structure which holds historic relevance. It is one of the oldest building in the city centre and dates back to 1667.
The Dublin Civic Trust restored the building about 30 years ago.
It was leased by the Peter McVerry Trust with the council agreeing to pay the rent. As the building is a registered historic monument permission for any work needed consent from the Minister of Heritage Josepha Madigan. Neither the council nor charity had received consent.
Founder of the charity Fr Peter McVerry said: “It’s a mess, this should have been sorted out before. The heritage group, that appealed it, that wasn’t expected. It’s half a million euro over two and a half years, that’s a lot of money.”
Proposal
Speaking about proposed homeless accommodation nearby that was rejected he said: “Given the fact that there was a proposal for the other hostel, 150 beds, and the locals objected, if that had gone ahead you wouldn’t have needed this one for 25. There’s disappointment all right, it’s a lot of money.”
After the Dublin Civic Trust intervened, the Department of Heritage blocked work on the site. The site has since remained vacant. It was originally leased in late 2016.
According to news reports the council is working with the Peter McVerry Trust to market the building, and they hope their commitment to the property will cease in 2020.