An estimated €10.8 million will be spent on the construction of forty seven housing units throughout Co Clare in the next two years.
Director of Service with Clare County Council Liam Conneally revealed the figures at the December meeting of the local authority. He acknowledged that the Council has a lot more to do in the provision of housing but he feels “significant progress” has been made in the last two years.
“Whilst it is accepted that more needs to be done to meet the significant need for housing in the County, significant progress has been made by the Council during 2015 and 2016 with over 1300 units being provided through leasing(RAS, HAP and Social Leasing), construction and house acquisitions. This figure includes the refurbishment of old housing stock and returning same to productive use. In 2016 the Department has approved the construction of 47 units at various locations throughout the County with an estimated budget value of €10.8m”.
Construction of these units will commence following design, planning and procurement processes. It is expected works will begin on the accommodation around the end of 2017 or the beginning of 2018.
Conneally was responding to Cllr Pat McMahon who sought a report “on what additional resources would be required to deal with the shocking accommodation crisis in the county.”
McMahon stated that “even in the bad times the council always built local authority houses”. He feels the process of building the houses has been slowed down by European regulations and the lack of land banks. The Fianna Cllr stated that “the Government have been good but haven’t taken over the need” suggesting more help be given to the housing department. He told the Council he “will continue to monitor the situation”.