Daly secures funding for Rosscarbery's homes for elderly

ROSSCARBERY is to get nine new houses for elderly people at a site in the middle of the town centre.

Funding for the homes has been approved to allow the Rosscarbery Social Housing Committee proceed with the plans, Minister for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly TD confirmed to The Southern Star this week.

The site is already home to 12 purpose-built houses for elderly people and was opened by then President of Ireland Mary McAleese in September 2007. 

The Rosscarbery Social Housing Committee had sought Government funding to build an additional nine houses on the site due to increasing demand for accommodation from elderly people who wish to live close to amenities such as the church, shops, post office, cafés, doctors’ surgeries and bus stop – all within walking distance of the Star Garden’s site. 

Minister Daly expressed his delight at being able to announce the ‘multi-million euro development’ for Rosscarbery during his first week in office. 

‘All politics is still local and I intend to ensure West Cork gets its fair share of funding during my time as a Minister. I am particularly pleased that my first announcement is for Rosscarbery where I have had a long association working with a group of local people who make up the Rosscarbery Social Housing committee,’ he said. 

He added that the Rosscarbery committee is an example to be modelled nationwide and their sterling work to date had been recognised by the Government with confirmation from Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy of the funding.

It is believed the project will go to tender in the next month with work on the new houses expected to commence before the end of the year.