By Dan Walsh at Wexford Council Chamber
Slightly more than half of the 34 elected members attended either in person or remotely a special meeting of Wexford County Council focussing on Housing Delivery held in the Council Chamber yesterday (Tuesday). Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr Ger Carthy presided in the absence of Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen who was attending an event in Leinster House!
Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe and housing department officials attended, using a question-and-answer format. The meeting highlighted various concerns impacting all of County Wexford.
Mr. Taaffe informed the meeting that the council is committed to surpassing its government-set target of 1,150 social homes by delivering 1,500 units by 2026. While no official target has been established for affordable housing, there are already 60 units in development.
There are over 1,500 households on the council’s social housing list and another 1,200 seeking transfers, totalling around 6,000 people.
Eight questions were submitted in advance, and the chamber responded positively. However, there were several empty seats on the Fine Gael side of the chamber, even though they are part of the current government coalition that set the current targets. For the record, Cllrs Oliver Walsh and Pat Kehoe were in attendance via zoom.
Cllr Michael Sheehan suggested writing to the Minister (James Browne TD) and start identifying tracts of land in the various areas and come up with a plan. “We have to have a plan in place for Wexford County Council to acquire land,” he said.
Cllr Sheehan noted the challenges faced by individuals down-sizing, living in homes too large to heat, and proposed retirement villages as an option for relocation.
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said there was an order from the Minister for Housing to achieve at council level, but he felt “this is the wrong way to go.” “We are going to forget about the town centres and the villages and we don’t seem to be doing something about regenerating town centres where 50% of the buildings are not fit for use,” said Cllr Kavanagh, who added; “We should be regenerating town centres and CPO (Compulsory Purchase Orders) whole streets.”
Cllr Catherine Biddy Walsh wondered about the effects on the local community in the future. Referring to housing estates and lack of services, Cllr Walsh asked “are we creating a monster we haven’t even though about in the years to come.”
Cllr John Fleming said; “we need more land at current value.” Cllr Garry Laffan said smaller villages were “dying a death” and claimed the council “needs to revise upwards” and assist villages like Screen, Glynn and Murrintown.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy spoke about the survival of communities and the provision of services. She claimed there are not enough one and two-bedroom housing and old people as they age need smaller houses.
Other contributors included Cllrs Tom Forde, Leonard Kelly, Jim Codd, Aoife Rose O’Brien and Jackser Owens (via zoom),
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