29 September 2015
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
A housing project based in the villages of Ballyvourney, Kilnamartyra and Coolea near Macroom has won an award in the prestigious Community Housing Awards. The Awards – which take place every two years – are sponsored by Allianz, and organised by the Irish Council for Social Housing, the national federation for non-profit housing associations.
The 2015 Allianz Community Housing Awards saw entries received from housing-providers around the country, under 10 different categories. At a gala awards ceremony in the Tullamore Court Hotel last week, Comhlacht Tithe agus Forbairt an tSuláin Teo was named the winner in the ‘Community Integration’ category – for the Ionad Lae Day Centre.
Allianz Logo
Comhlacht Tithe agus Forbairt an tSuláin Teo provides 19 units of accommodation and two day centres, one in Ballyvourney and one in Kilnamartyra. A third development managed by Comhlacht Tithe agus Forbairt an tSuláin Teo is located in Kilnamartyra.
Congratulating Comhlacht Tithe agus Forbairt an tSuláin Teo on its award in the ‘Community Integration’ category, Donal McManus, CEO of the Irish Council for Social Housing, said: “This organisation has successfully met the accommodation needs of a number of parish areas, and provides support to the wider community through a bus collection service. Tenants are collected each day by a community bus, if the wish to visit the Ballyvourney Day Centre. There, dinner is provided on a daily basis, along with organised activities.
“The project involves successful collaboration with Cork County Council, the HSE and Udarás na Gaeltachta. Our judging panel commended it as an excellent example of how a voluntary community group can interact successfully with all arms of the State to provide an integrated response to community development. It is also an excellent model for community development and interaction in rural Ireland to sustain a Gaeltacht community.
“The Allianz Community Housing Awards recognise and promote quality in housing delivery, management and services to tenants and communities. The calibre of entries received this year was extremely high, and it is a testament to all involved in the Ionad Lae Day Centre that Comhlacht Tithe agus Forbairt an tSuláin Teo has received this award.”
Representatives of Comhlacht Tithe agus Forbairt an tSuláin Teo were presented with their award by Cllr. Eamon Dooley, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council.
The Allianz Community Housing Awards took place as part of the ICSH national conference on social housing.
