Posted by Updated / Saturday, 17 Jan 2026 17:40
A block of six apartments next to the Phoenix Park which was bought by the housing charity Depaul two years ago at a cost of €2 million has been lying empty since purchase.
The story, which was first reported in the Irish Independent, refers to Ivy Views on Blackhorse Road. It is a block of six one and two-bedroom apartments.
In a statement to RTÉ News, Depaul said it purchased the building in August 2024, and that it was not fit to occupy as social housing due to essential remedial work that had to be carried out.
The charity said those works were in relation to fire protection as part of building regulations.
The statement from Depaul said: “Once we were in, it was discovered the extent of the work was greater than expected.”
It said it followed regulatory procurement guidelines and tendered for and appointed a design team before a “comprehensive full fire survey was carried out”.
It said it is now in a position to go to tender for the refurbishment works, which it envisages will commence in early March and will be complete within three to four months meaning people could be living in Ivy Views by this summer.
The Green Party’s leader and TD for Dublin West, the constituency Ivy Views is in, said it is important the six apartments are made available as quickly as possible.
Roderic O’Gorman said as homeless figures are at their highest ever it is particularly important.
“While six apartments might be a small amount in the context of the housing crisis, moving into these homes would make a huge difference to these families, and give them the stability of their own home,” he said.
When asked about the delay in the tender process, the statement from Depaul detailed how there is “a process and a critical path which needs to be followed in the case of fire regulations and building regulations for social housing”.
It said it was not possible to undertake the work while the properties were occupied and that Depaul takes its legal obligation to ensure its tenants are living in a property that is compliant and fit for purpose very seriously.
Who Watches the Watchers? 
This is happening to apartment blocks all over Dublin. Loads of vacant flats on Cabinteely dual carriageway, Johnstown Road, Dundrum and Monkstown. Originally built as luxury apartments with high rents, but migrant workers rented and sub-let, bunk-beds in the sitting room etc. A Polish guy told me he and his friends were taking turns to sleep in the beds. Also the HAP is paid to some tenants (including Irish “single” mothers who sub-let while they move in unofficially with partners / elderly parents). When this happens, the people who pay full rent (2k+) and owner-occupiers feel short-changed and move out. Then the transient ones move out to houses with gardens (this always happens because they bring their big families over and get on the housing list). This is the fate of the new Shanganagh Castle and Woodbrook estates. Drive past them and you’ll see bunk beds up against the windows already…
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