Dublin's Oliver Bond Flats Regeneration Scrapped After Housing Department Withdraws Funding
The regeneration of Dublin’s Oliver Bond flats, home to 1,200 residents, has been scrapped due to withdrawn Department of Housing funding. This decision, despite prior ministerial support, is a «devastating blow» given long-standing issues like damp, mould, and related health problems, drawing widespread political condemnation.
The planned regeneration of Dublin city’s Oliver Bond flats, built in 1936 and home to 1,200 residents in nearly 400 units, has been cancelled after the Department of Housing withdrew funding. Residents have long faced issues like damp and mould; a 2024 study found Oliver Bond residents are 1.9 times more likely to have asthma than other patients in the same GP practice.
In May 2025, Housing Minister James Browne had affirmed the regeneration as a «priority» project with full departmental support. However, funding has now been withdrawn, prompting strong criticism. Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins called the decision «indefensible,» citing unacceptable living conditions and the recent rent increase for social housing.
Labour’s housing spokesperson, TD Conor Sheehan, raised the issue with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, calling it a «breach of trust» and urging the Housing Minister to reconsider. Sheehan also questioned the implications for the Pearse House flat regeneration project, emphasizing the need to address disrepair in Dublin City Council-managed properties.