Minister O'Brien opens 50-unit housing estate in Ballina and new fire station in Crossmolina

MINISTER for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD has carried out the official opening of a 50-unit housing estate in Ballina and a brand new fire station in Crossmolina. 

Following a tour of the Business Innovation Quarter Project in Ballina, Minister O’Brien first conducted the official opening of the new Rehins Fort social housing development in Ballina.

The development consists of eight single story semi-detached two-bedroom units, twenty-two two-bedroom two storey semi-detached units, fifteen three bed two storey semi-detached units, four four-bedroom two storey semi-detached units and one four bed two storey dormer unit adapted for special needs, along with new connections to public services and street lighting.

_{Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD cuts the ribbon to officially open the new Rehins Fort Housing Development in Ballina alongside Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Loftus; Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly; Mayo County Council officials and elected members of Mayo County Council and the Oireachtas.}

Also, during his visit to the county, Minister O’Brien officially opened the new €2 million Crossmolina Fire Station. The new fire station is the first new station to be constructed in the county in 19-years has been in use since October of this year. The project saw the construction of a new two storey fire station building and a four-storey fire tower for training purposes.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Loftus said he was 'thrilled' to have Minister O’Brien on hand today to carry out these official openings in Mayo.

"The construction of 50 new homes in Rehins Fort in Ballina is a major milestone not only for the council but more importantly a huge one for the residents who will get to call these units their home," said Cllr Loftus. 

"The new fire station in Crossmolina is a fantastic piece of infrastructure, but it is much more than that. It offers peace of mind to the residents of the town and its hinterland that our fire service will be on hand quickly when they are called. It also gives our fantastic fire service personal a modern and state of the art base for their work and training."

Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly also welcomed the official opening of both the Rehins Fort housing development and the Crossmolina Fire Station.

"To get to a point of opening a project of this scale involves years of hard work and the dedication of a myriad of people and as with all projects, we deliver as a local authority, collaboration is key," said Mr Kelly."

"I would like to acknowledge all involved in this project from its inception, elected members, government ministers, officials and the community and I want to wish the residents who will assume occupancy these homes the very best for their future lives here.

"This new Crossmolina Fire Station is state-of-the-art facility costing just under €2 million will be an enormous asset to ensure public safety in the region and a modern home for our staff in the Mayo Fire Service and I recognise the financial and other support from the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency and the Department officials.”

Minister O’Brien said he was 'particularly delighted' to visit Rehins Fort in Ballina, where he got to speak with some of the new tenants.

"The ongoing work in terms of URDF projects which are rejuvenating and regenerating towns in Mayo is great to see and I look forward to watching these projects progress," added Minister O'Brien, who also expressed his thanks for being invited to Crossmolina Fire Station.