A new €1 million community centre is set to be built in the growing community of Saggart.
South Dublin County Council recently completed the purchase of the "old school site" following campaigning by locals.
The deal was expected to be struck last year, but due to ownership issues was only completed this week.
Local Fine Gael councillor Emer Higgins has praised local residents for their work in campaigning to the council for the development of the site.
She said: "This investment would not have happened without the local residents who campaigned for the Council to purchase the building when it was up for sale.
This progress is a testament to their commitment and community spirit.
"It is over-due progress, because we had expected the deal to be signed last year, but ownership issues created legal delays.
"Councillors have approved €1m over a two-year period to purchase and renovate the building to turn it into a Community Centre."
Councillor Higgins said that plans are already in place to develop a centre in the nearby village of Newcastle.
She continued: "Saggart has a growing population and when you look at it together with Citywest, it's one of the fastest growing areas in Dublin. It makes sense to invest in amenities that will help develop community spirit in the area.
"Councillors have also approved funding for the development of a Community Centre in Newcastle and we're on the look-out for a building there."
