HOUSING: Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy TD, pictured on a site visit to the Clœuid housing developments at Derreen, Killarney on Friday. Photo: Don MacMonagle

By Michelle Crean

More low energy houses are to be built in Killarney - at one of Ireland’s largest sustainable social housing developments – it was announced on Friday.

The news came during a visit by Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy at the Sruthán na Sailí development in Derreen, Killarney.

The Derreen development, which commenced in January 2019, consists of 61 two and three-bed dwellings, built using themohouse’s unique low energy building system.

Due for completion in early 2020, this is one of Clúid’s largest new build developments currently under construction.

Cluid is a not-for-profit housing organisation, delivering high quality, affordable homes to people in housing need.

As well as being up to 60 percent faster than traditional construction, the houses have superior levels of airtightness, considerably reducing their heating costs. These houses are ‘nearly Zero-Energy Building’ (nZEB) compliant as mandated by the EU energy directive for new builds completed after 31 December 2020.

“We are delighted to welcome Minister Murphy to the development here in Killarney, as it enters the second stage of construction,” James O’Halloran, New Business Manager of Clúid said.

“An innovative social housing project in Ireland, it not only addresses the need for rapid-build homes but also creates greener, more energy efficient buildings, with lower fuel bills. Partnering with Kerry County Council, Rebuilding Ireland and themohouse, who deliver residential projects across Ireland and the UK, has allowed us to meet our goal of providing high quality housing for those who need it, here in Kerry.”