Louth social housing investment is long overdue – Kirk
Published on: 01 April 2015
Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Seamus Kirk has welcomed the announcement that new social housing units are set to be delivered by Louth County Council, but says the news is long overdue. Deputy Kirk also argued that much more investment is needed in order to tackle the growing waiting list for housing in Louth.
Deputy Kirk called on the local authority to clarify as to what areas are set to get new housing units under the plan.
“The news that Louth County Council is set to invest in social housing in the county over the coming years is a positive development, but the announcement is long overdue,” said Deputy Kirk.
“Fianna Fáil has been highlighting that housing lists have been growing rapidly right across the country over the last four years. Unfortunately the government has only decided to take action at this very late stage. The new housing units won’t be available until the end of 2017 at the earliest and in the meantime the housing list continues to grow.
“Further investment is also needed to tackle the long list for social housing in Louth. This investment plan is a step in the right direction, but it must be followed up with a credible plan to reduce the housing waiting list significantly over the coming years.”
Deputy Kirk also called on the government to provide further detail on the investment plan.
“We need further clarify on where the proposed housing units will actually be located. It is of fundamental importance that all major towns in Louth are served under this investment. Towns such as Dundalk, Drogheda, Ardee, Dunleer and Clogherhead are in urgent need of new housing units