To be developed at site of former Dominican Church.
Kildare County Council has welcomed the announcement by Mr Alan Kelly, TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government that €1.65m of the Library Capital Investment Programme 2016 - 2021 will be invested in a new library for Athy on the site of the former Dominican Church.
The site of the former Dominican Church has also been earmarked for a number of accommodation units. Kildare County Council is pleased to announce that it is currently preparing submissions for the development of these units and expects to submit these to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government shortly. The Council looks forward to working with the Department on the development of these community facilities. In addition, the land adjacent to the River Barrow will be developed as an amenity park as part of the proposed Barrow Blueway.
Pending the approval for the construction of accommodation units, the Council is delighted to announce that it has arranged with the Peter McVerry Trust, an Approved Housing Body, to utilise the former Dominican Priory building to provide units for up to 5 families.
Mr Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said:
“We are delighted to have been able to partner with Kildare County Council to deliver these units, to provide 5 high quality apartments which are ideal for families in need of social housing. The units were unlikely to have been brought into use in the coming years without the support of Kildare County Council."
Mr Peter Carey, Chief Executive of Kildare County Council said,
“The proposed project underlines what can be achieved when the Council works in partnership with specialist service providers. It is intended that building works will commence shortly, and that accommodation will be available after Easter this year."
