Galway's sports stadium gets €30m facelift: 5 things to know in property this week

And a Dublin development of close to 1000 new homes gets the green light.

EACH WEEK, WE round up the latest news and property happenings around Ireland.

From house prices rising to millions being pumped into sports grounds, here are some of the stories that piqued peoples’ interest over the last seven days.

1. €30 million redevelopment for Galway Sportsground

original Connacht Rugby Connacht Rugby

Connacht Rugby has announced plans for a significant redevelopment of the Sportsground in Galway.

The cost is estimated at €30 million, delivering a new 12,000 capacity stadium, a new high-performance training centre for Connacht while also retaining existing greyhound racing facilities.

2. Residential property prices up 8.6%

river (7) Shutterstock / Andrey_Popov Shutterstock / Andrey_Popov / Andrey_Popov

House prices have risen by 8.6% so far this year, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office.

It found that in the year to August, residential property prices at national level increased by 8.6%. This compares to a 10.0% increase in the year to July and an increase of 11.8% in the 12 months to August 2017.

3. Massive Limerick site goes on market for €6.8m

A site covering 22.8 acres of land in Limerick, close to Castletroy College, has been put on the open market for €6.8m, according to The Limerick Leader.

Seller Savills describes it as “one of the best residential development sites to come to the market for some time in Limerick.”

4. Green light for almost 1000 new Dublin homes

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South Dublin City Council (SDCC) has agreed a joint development plan for 975 homes at Kilcarbery in Clondalkin.

The mixed development will see 30% of the project set aside for social housing at 294 units.

5. Granny-flat grant discussed in pre-Budget talks

river (6) Shane Ross said the Independent Alliance secured commitment from the government for the granny-flat grant. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

The Granny Grant for childcare might be dead in the water, but ‘granny-flat grants’ are very much still in the pipeline, according to Transport Minister Shane Ross. “We got commitment that he [Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy] intends to do it,” said Ross.

The idea aims to meet the needs of older people by converting their homes into two separate units. It would involve the grant being used to convert family homes into self-contained ground floor accommodation for use by the older home owner while the upstairs area would become available for lodgers or other family members.