A West Waterford councillor has lamented that it is 'hard to see' where much-needed housing will come on stream in Dungarvan and the surrounding areas.
Sinn Fein Councillor Conor McGuinness was speaking at the January meeting of the Dungarvan / Lismore District of Waterford City & County Council.
Cllr. McGuinness highlighted that the situation regarding social and affordable housing in the west of the county has remained unchanged for many months, and expressed concern regarding the delivery of highly-sought accommodation.
"It's unchanged in several months. It speaks to me, what it says - is that there's nothing coming up. There's precious little coming up. The situation is not changing. We have people on the waiting lists with years. We have people, Cllr. Cronin [Tom] mentioned it - on the HAP scheme. They may be facing terminations of their tenancies. Landlords need the property back or what ever the case may be. It's a very difficult situation. Starting off the year, I don't see where houses are coming on stream."
The Sinn Fein representative called upon Waterford Council's Director of Housing, Ivan Grimes to clarify the situation from the perspective of the local authority.
"I don't see where houses are coming on stream in Lismore, or Ardmore, Dungarvan, Grange, An Sean Phobal or Cappoquin.. I don't see where they're coming, maybe you could let us know Ivan. Give us some hope and some hope to the people who are waiting. Let us know what's in the pipeline, what's coming down the track. Where are we going to add to our housing supply in West Waterford?"
Response
In response, Mr. Grimes outlined that the situation at present would not fill people with optimism. However, he outlined that a number of schemes have been submitted to the Department of Housing for approval.
Mr. Grimes told councillors that the local authority's supply targets are ambitious - but 'deliverable'.
"In relation to capital projects and capital delivery, I accept the picture as presented in our monthly report doesn't give great grounds for optimism. However, I can say that in the run up to Christmas - we had to submit to the Minister, a detailed Housing Delivery Action Plan. This will serve us from now until 2026. I would regard it as being optimistic but deliverable and it will deliver a significant number of new units in this district."
He concluded that once the plan is approved by the Department of Housing, that there would be a much better picture for housing in West Waterford.
"I'd be happy to share the plan once I've gotten feedback from the Department. Obviously, they're paying for it. I need to be sure that they are prepared to pay for it. We will do workshops at district level and take councillors through the plan for each of the areas. I am confident that there will be a much better picture to present once we have gotten approval for these plans."
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