IRISH SOCIAL HOUSING BUNDLE 3 PPP

The construction, operation and maintenance of 486 social housing units throughout Ireland to be financed and delivered by way of a public-private partnership (PPP) structure.

The project will help address the current shortage of social housing in Ireland, which is attributable to a combination of factors including recent steady demographic growth and diminished public resources. This shortage has been documented in the Irish government's housing strategy, 'Housing for All 2021-2030', which aims to deliver 33,000 new housing units by 2030, including 10,000 new build social homes and 6,000 affordable homes in the period 2022-2030, and promotes a specific objective to increase the use of PPPs to deliver social housing. The project is intended to contribute to the achievement of this target in a manner designed to ensure cost-effectiveness and a high standard of construction and maintenance. The project is in line with the provisions of the 2022 Nice Declaration on Housing, the 2020 New Leipzig Charter, the EU Urban Agenda, and the EIB Urban Lending Review. Furthermore, it is aligned with the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and with the Bank's Energy Lending Policy for new buildings.

Compliance with the relevant EU Directives will be verified during appraisal stage: EIA Directive 2011/92/EU amended by the EIA Directive 2014/52/EU, SEA Directive 2001/42/EC, EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and EU Birds Directive 2009/147/EC. The status of any environmental studies and public consultations related to the investments will be reviewed during project appraisal. Energy efficiency requirements in line with the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings 2010/31/EU will also be further assessed. It is envisaged that the project will contribute to urban regeneration and sustainable urban development in the various locations where the housing units will be built, generating significant positive social and economic benefits, including better living conditions thanks to increased services and job creation during implementation. All these elements will be evaluated during the appraisal of the project.

The Bank requires the Promoter to ensure that contract for the selection of the concessionaire is tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation, Directive 2014/23/EU, where applicable, as well as Directive 89/665/EEC as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal (OJEU), as and where required. A contract notice was published by the promoter in the OJEU on 2022/12/16, reference 712997-2022.