New homes plan would involve soldiers moving out of barracks

THE Green Party wants to use the site of Cathal Brugha barracks and Bus Éireann’s Broadstone bus depot in Dublin as a location for thousands of ‘cost rental’ homes.

But there is concern in Government at the proposal, which would require the Defences Forces to move out of their Rathmines base.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan says the cost rental model would allow the State to borrow off-balance-sheet money to build the houses.

The rent paid by tenants would cover the costs over 25 years and the units would stay in State ownership. Mr Ryan said 3,000 units could be built at the two locations.

The party’s motion was debated in the Dáil last night. Government sources noted the strategic importance of retaining Cathal Brugha Barracks, pointing out that soldiers from the base helped gardaí to get to Tallaght during last week’s snow.

A Government countermotion sets out how it already hopes to develop a major cost rental project in Dublin on land owned by the local authority.