Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has said that Dungarvan urgently needs to see affordable housing delivered in order to provide homes for local families an individuals. He said that the local authority has a number of sites available to it in the locality and identified the council-owned land adjacent to the Lidl supermarket would be an ‘ideal location’.
McGuinness said:
“There is a huge need for affordable housing in Dungarvan. The housing crisis has become a housing catastrophe under the current coalition government. We need to see more social houses delivered, greater turn around of vacant units, more private development, and the delivery of serviced sites for those who wish to build themselves.
“Affordable housing has a huge part to play in addressing the crisis locally. I have been very critical of government policy, which has seen affordable schemes solely focused on cities and larger urban areas. I have long advocated a more pro-active and ambitious approach and have been lobbying officials to identify sites in towns and villages across Co. Waterford that would be suitable for affordable housing schemes.
“I had identified the council-owned land adjacent to the N25 between Lidl and Currans as being an ideal location for such a development. I am keen to see both affordable and social units sited here, including a mix of house sizes and types to cater for families, individuals and older people.
“I am glad that this is being considered and I understand that plans will soon be presented to the Department of Housing in Dublin. I would urge the Minister to act quickly on foot of an application from Waterford and to ensure that funding is made available to deliver much needed homes for families and individuals in Dungarvan and surrounding areas. Given the huge underspend by this Department last year I am hopeful that funding will be made available given the urgency of the housing situation locally.
Conor D. McGuinness TD 