At the Irish Council for Social Housing Conference taking place in Wexford on 18th September Respond! announced the acquisition and refurbishment of 55 houses in Oakley Wood Tullow, Co Carlow. The first “Ghost Estate” controlled by NAMA which has been completed for the benefit of the local community. Making the announcement Mr Ned Brennan, Chief Operations Officer with Respond! Housing commented;

         “This is a first for the voluntary housing sector in Ireland. It is a unique  collaboration   between NAMA, Carlow County Council, the Department of Environment Community and Local Government  and Respond! Housing which will see 55 derelict houses completed for the benefit of 55 families in need of housing in the Tullow area”.

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At a time of bad news and growing social housing need a bit of good news emerged this week with the graduation of 19 Respond! College /UCD students who graduated yesterday with a Bachelor of social science in housing and community development studies.

These new graduates have just completed a four year programme which covered housing policy, strategic planning and community development to mention but a few.

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Respond!  Ireland’s leading housing association launched its tenants complaints policy this morning Friday 30^th August at a Personal Debt Seminar which took place in the National Library of Ireland. Speaking at the seminar was Noeline Blackwell of FLAC who spelt out the Impact of indebtedness on an adequate standard of living while Vincent P. Martin from New Beginning explored the recent developments and positive changes in Irish Insolvency Law.

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