Developers across the city and county have been urged to play their part in increasing the number of affordable houses in Galway – and reap the benefits.

Galway West Independent TD Noel Grealish said that the success of the nearly completed affordable housing scheme in Claregalway created a template for future developer-led affordable housing schemes.

He described the Garraí Na Gaoithe development – the first affordable homes to be developed in County Galway in more than a decade – as a perfect example for other developers to follow.

“There are 17 houses in the first phase of this new turnkey development, and the massive demand out there for affordable housing is evidenced by the fact that there were more than 100 applicants.

“They are due to find out very soon if they are among the lucky ones who have managed to secure a home of their own.

“What this shows is that it makes perfect sense for developers in both the city and county, who have land available, to build affordable homes.”

Deputy Grealish also urged Galway County Council and Galway City Council to get more pro-active in establishing contact with developers who own or have access to residential-zoned lands and try to convince them to build more affordable housing.

“There’s a template set now in the Claregalway development which should help to speed up future such agreements. We need both councils to really get a push on now to meet the demand out there.”

Deputy Grealish said that people were crying out for these homes but there had been none of them available for more than a decade now.

Pictured: Deputy Noel Grealish at the site of the Garraí Na Gaoithe affordable homes development in Claregalway, the first units of which are shortly to be allocated to successful applicants.