Kildare town land for affordable housing

05 July 2003: Magee Barracks in Kildare is one of the sites of the state land bank which is to be used for the provision of affordable houses, in the scheme announced by the Taoiseach yesterday.

The property was previously planned to be sold to raise money for the Defence Forces. It is currently being used to house refugees and travellers.

The Government says at least 10,000 first-time buyers are expected to benefit from the initiative, which will include the release of further State lands later in the year.

Mr Ahern announced the plan at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions conference in Tralee, Co Kerry, where he said a total of 309 acres would be released in the first phase of the initiative, and the necessary planning work would begin immediately.

The intention is that the lands will be handed over to local authorities or associated agencies, who will ensure that houses are made available 'at cost'.