Royal Hospital Donnybrook’s Housing Association Acquires 20 Modern Apartments at Fraction of Open Market Price

The Voluntary Housing Association of the Royal Hospital Donnybrook (RHD), in Dublin, has acquired 20 apartments in a private development adjoining the hospital on Bloomfield Avenue from Dublin City Council under the Social Housing provisions of the Planning and Development Acts.

With the financial support of the Department of Environment, Dublin City Council and the Friends of the Royal Hospital, the Housing Association was able to acquire the apartments for €4.6 million from the private developer of the Bloomfield complex, whereas the open market value would have been about €11 million.

This brings to 49 the number of housing units now owned by the Housing Association, adding to a 29-bungalow complex which opened in 1993.

At a hand-over ceremony presided over by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Paddy Bourke, the Chairman of the Voluntary Housing Association, Mr. Robin Simpson, paid tribute to all the personnel from the various agencies, including the Department of the Environment, Dublin City Council, the HSE and the various bodies and personnel associated with the RHD for their role in the project.

Mr. Simpson paid special thanks to the Friends of the Royal Hospital “who played a vital role through their generous capital contribution that enabled the Housing Association to pay the deposit for the apartments.”

Up to five patients are moving out of the RHD to begin a new life living independently in the new apartments where they will be supported with care packages funded by the HSE.

The remaining fifteen apartments are being allocated through a process agreed between the Voluntary Housing Association and Dublin City Council. Elderly, vulnerable individuals who are on the Council waiting list for accommodation will be housed there.

Pictured on left, left to right are: Miriam Mooney, Medical Social Worker, Royal Hospital; Roisin Gaffney; Veemee Chellamootoo, carer and Karl Schutte, Home Instead Senior Care.

Above: the new apartments.