Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has said that the ‘hands-off’ approach of the Minister for Housing in relation to the proposed affordable and social housing scheme in Ardmore is ‘deeply concerning’ and that it ‘flies in the face’ of what Fianna Fáil has been telling people locally.
McGuinness made the comments having written to the Minister seeking to have the project proceed without further delay or prevarication. The Sinn Féin councillor has been been pushing for affordable and housing for Ardmore given the failure over some 24 years to deliver any public housing in the seaside village. Residents have spoken of a ‘demographic cliff-edge’ if housing isn’t made available for younger families from Ardmore and surrounding area.
McGuinness said:
“The Minister’s response to my recent letter is deeply concerning. It shows a worrying hands-off approach that borders on calculated indifference. It flies in the face of what Fianna Fáil representatives are saying locally. Minister O’Brien is unwilling to give any commitment that this development will go ahead, contrary to what has been said locally.
“The reply from the Minister states that his ‘Department is aware that Waterford is actively exploring the development of an affordable housing scheme at Ardmore’ and that ‘it will be open to Waterford CCC to seek support toward the development […] once it has confirmed the viability of the scheme’. This is despite the fact that the Department has received very detailed applications from Waterford City and County Council for both the social and affordable aspects of the overall project.
“The Minister failed to express any support for the scheme and would give no undertaking to have the process expedited. His overall response was underwhelming, disinterested and non-committal. It certainly doesn’t inspire any confidence that he or his officials are aware of the urgency required.
“Interestingly, a freedom of information request to the Department shows that I am the only public representative to have contacted the Minister in relation to this affordable and social housing in Ardmore. Given the level of need in the area it is both surprising and disappointing that others haven’t made representations at this level.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 