Newbridge Cllr Condemns The Lack Of Leadership In The Department Of Housing

Thursday, 6 April 2023 15:28

By Caoimhe Harney

The underspend in the department amounts to the cost of building 4,000 social homes

Social Democrats Councillor Chris Pender has highlighted that the €1 billion earmarked for social and affordable housing over the past three years could have housed half the total number of households currently in Department of Housing-funded emergency accommodation.

The underspend amounts to the cost of building 4,000 social homes, which would have gone a long way towards alleviating the suffering of those affected by the housing crisis in Ireland.

Councillor Pender has condemned the government's lack of leadership, saying that "Local authorities, approved housing bodies, and Opposition politicians have been highlighting this problem for years, yet the Minister for Housing has refused to act,"

"The level of red tape and delay imposed on local authorities and approved housing bodies [AHBs] by the Department of Housing and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is the principal problem," said Councillor Pender.

"It is clear that bureaucratic obstacles or red tape are preventing the allocated funds from being spent. The government must act urgently to address this issue and ensure that every possible resource is directed towards addressing the housing crisis in Ireland.

"The excuses offered by the Minister for Housing do not stand up to scrutiny," he insisted.

"The unspent capital could have delivered at least an additional 4,000 social and affordable homes, which would have gone a long way towards easing the suffering of those affected by the housing crisis. Instead, the housing crisis in Ireland has reached a critical level, with thousands of families living in emergency accommodation and many more unable to find affordable housing.

"Simply put, The most vulnerable in society cannot wait any longer for a solution." said Cllr Pender