Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has welcomed confirmation that the Department of Housing has given approval in principle for a €5.4 million social housing scheme in Miltown Malbay.

Funding for the construction of 27 new homes at Ballard Road will come from the Local Authority Housing Construction Programme as part of the Rebuilding Ireland initiative and the project will be coordinated by Clare County Council.

Deputy Carey said he was delighted that his representations to Minister Eoghan Murphy had resulted in such a positive outcome and he was anxious to ensure that construction work would get under way as quickly as possible.

“There is a clear need for a significant level of affordable housing in Miltown Malbay and I am confident that this development of 27 new homes will enable young families to remain in the area and make a positive contribution to the local community,” he added.