Legal Battle Looms After Government Halts Major Social Housing Project, Including Homes Across Kildare

Thursday, 10 July 2025 09:52

By Martin Osborne

The plan included 73 social housing units and a community building at Ardrew, Athy, as part of a broader project to deliver the homes across the country.

Legal action has been launched by construction company JJ Rhatigan against the Department of Housing after the government abruptly cancelled a 486-home social housing project.

The plan included 73 social housing units and a community building at Ardrew, Athy, as part of a broader project to deliver the homes across the country.

The developer, according to The Journal, has filed court papers against the Housing Minister and Dublin City Council.

The Department of Housing recently refused to provide further detail about the sudden decision to halt the social housing project in Athy, despite the development being on the brink of construction.

The 79-unit scheme, part of Public Private Partnership (PPP) Bundle 3, had already secured planning permission and an assigned contractor when the Department instructed the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) not to proceed with awarding the contract.

In response to detailed queries submitted by Kfm - including when the decision was made, what cost factors were considered, and what alternative delivery models are under consideration - the Department issued only a short statement confirming that the pause was decided on June 3 due to “overall costs for the project being considered too high.”

Kildare County Council has several sites included as part of PPP housing bundles that are also expected to be impacted:

Bundle 3 (now paused): Ardrew, Athy – 73 social homes + community building

Bundle 4:

Oldtown Mill, Celbridge – 60 social homes

Coolaghknock Glebe, Kildare Town – 99 social homes, 32 affordable homes

Bundle 6:

Rathasker, Naas – 104 social homes

Rickardstown, Newbridge – 98 social homes, 40 affordable homes