Shane Coleman has said he “absolutely loves” the idea of providing key workers with cheap rental accommodation in Dublin City Centre. 

Dublin City Council is considering a regeneration scheme for the north inner city that would fund the regeneration of vacant and derelict buildings on North Frederick Street and Middle Abbey Street. 

The area suffers from high levels of dereliction and rectifying this was one of the key measures recommended in the recent Taskforce for Dublin. 

The need for cost rental homes for key workers - such as nurses, teachers and Gardaí - was also identified. 

 On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Shane Coleman said it was just the kind of “boost” that the north inner city needs. 

“We’ve spoken a lot on this show about the idea of homes over the shop and I think it’s really, really good,” he said. 

“There’s all sorts of issues that need to be sorted out; fire safety being key among them, planning is a big thing. 

“But it looks like Dublin City Council have the bit between their teeth; they’re setting up a one stop shop in place of all the owners of these units to come and they can deal with all these issues.” 

O'connell Street in Dublin. Picture by: Design Pics Inc / Alamy.com.

Shane added that there are “two obvious advantages” to the plan. 

“One, you’re providing homes and in buildings that are already there, they will require work some of the - because there’s a fair amount of dereliction,” he said. 

“The other big advantage is you’re potentially revitalising two streets that are both adjacent to O’Connell Street. 

“Both of them are run down and both of them could do with a boost.

“I like the idea of giving them to key workers because healthcare workers, public transport workers, retail workers, Gardaí - they need to be in the city centre,” he said. 

“I love the idea, I can’t see any downside to it, I have to say.” 

A man walking past 'For Sale' signs in Dublin. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie.

Co-presenter Ciara Kelly agreed that it was a “great idea” for the area. 

“I think it will provide passive security in the city for the people living there,” she said. 

“I think it will bring a community into the city, I think it will facilitate key workers who can’t find accommodation or afford it. 

“We know that schools in Dublin are more disadvantaged in terms of recruitment than schools outside Dublin - great idea.” 

Despite this, she predicted that the definition of key worker would be bitterly disputed. 

“We talked about something along these lines on the show, maybe six months ago,” she said. 

“All we got in on the text line was, ‘I’m a key worker, they’re not more important than me.’ 

“I think that could gobble this up, the begrudgery thing.”

Main image: Split of Shane Coleman and Dublin Apartments. Pictures by: Newstalk and Alamy.com.