Ministers Browne and Lawless Visit Maynooth for Eastern Ring Road Update and Opening of New Social Housing Scheme
Kildare County Council was delighted to welcome the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D. and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D., to Maynooth, Co Kildare. The Ministers met with Kildare County Council staff and project delivery partners to note the progress in the delivery of the upcoming Maynooth Eastern Ring Road Project. Following this they officiated at the opening of a significant social housing development at Fitzgeralds Close, Greenfields, Maynooth.
The Maynooth Eastern Ring Road will provide approximately 1.55km of new single-carriageway road, with two new signalised junctions at the R405 and R148 and will include a new 41-metre single-span bridge over the Royal Canal and the Dublin–Sligo railway line, together with continuous footpaths and cycle tracks along the route. The project will also include the realignment of approximately 800m of existing roads, a link to the Royal Canal towpath, and provide four new bus stops.
The Maynooth Eastern Ring Road Project is partially funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF). The project will provide access to a key development area to the east of Maynooth allowing for the delivery of over 1,000 units of housing over the coming years. The project will also improve connectivity in and around Maynooth and support safer, more accessible journeys for people walking, cycling, and using public transport.
Following the visit to the Maynooth Eastern Ring Road Project, the Ministers attended Fitzgeralds Close, Greenfields, Maynooth, to officiate at the opening of a significant social housing development delivered by Kildare County Council. The development provides 65 new homes, supported by more than €29 million in funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Social Housing Investment Programme – Accelerated Delivery Programme. The scheme includes a mix of one- to four-bedroom houses, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and two-bedroom duplex units, including Age Friendly and universally designed ground-floor homes to support accessibility and independent living.
The Fitzgeralds Close development was delivered in partnership with Van Dijk Architects, Cunningham Contractors, Hayes Higgins Partnership, and specialist design and engineering teams.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D., said: "It's great to be here in beautiful Kildare today to see the progress that has been made on these two important projects. The Maynooth Eastern Ring Road Project is important because when it comes to tackling the housing crisis, it's not just about delivering homes, it's about putting in place the infrastructure and resources that are needed to build thriving communities that can grow and prosper. Thanks to funding from my own Department through the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), this project will provide a vital transport artery to Maynooth, offering safer road use for both drivers and pedestrians as well as improved facilities for both cyclists and public transport.
I am also delighted to be able to celebrate the opening of a significant social housing development here at Fitzgeralds Close. With over €29 million in funding from my Department under the Social Housing Investment Programme, this project will provide 65 much needed new homes, including Age Friendly and universally designed ground-floor homes that support accessibility and independent living. As Minister, I am determined to use every lever available to ramp up the delivery of homes. Our goal under the new Housing Action Plan, 'Delivering Homes, Building Communities', is to create 300,000 new homes by 2030, and I would like to thank Kildare County Council today for helping us take another step on that journey."
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D., said: “Today’s visit to Maynooth highlights the strong alignment between strategic infrastructure and sustainable community development. The Eastern Ring Road will play a vital role in unlocking growth, while enhancing connectivity and supporting more balanced regional development. Alongside this, the delivery of high-quality, inclusive housing with 65 new homes at Fitzgeralds Close here in Maynooth reflects our shared commitment to building thriving, accessible communities for current and future generations.”
The Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Carmel Kelly, said: “Today’s visit highlights the positive impact of strong collaboration between local and national government in delivering for our communities. The opening of Fitzgeralds Close provides much-needed homes in Maynooth, including Age Friendly and universally designed options, while the Maynooth Eastern Ring Road Project will enhance connectivity and support safer, more accessible travel for people walking, cycling and using public transport. I want to acknowledge everyone involved in progressing these important projects for the people of Kildare.”
Annette Aspell, Deputy Chief Executive, Kildare County Council added: “We were pleased to welcome Minister Browne and Minister Lawless to Maynooth to acknowledge the Maynooth Eastern Ring Road update and the opening of 65 new social homes at Fitzgeralds Close. These important projects reflect Kildare County Council’s continued focus on delivering key infrastructure and high-quality housing, with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through LIHAF and the Social Housing Investment Programme – Accelerated Delivery Programme.”
