Gaeltacht housing crisis threatens survival of the Irish language Healy warns in the Dáil

Housing pressures in Gaeltacht communities are threatening the future of the Irish language and require urgent legislative action, Séamus Healy told the Dáil today, March 4.

Speaking during debate on the motion Tithíocht Gaeltachta: Tairiscint [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha], the Tipperary South Independent TD said he “fully support[s] the motion”, describing housing in Irish speaking regions as a matter of profound importance.

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He added: “I welcome and support the motion. It is of vital importance to the Gaeltacht and the Irish language and culture.”

Deputy Healy placed the difficulties facing Gaeltacht areas within the wider national housing emergency. He said failed government policies have resulted in 17,000 homeless people, including almost 5,500 children, alongside soaring rents, rising house prices and growing numbers of young people unable to move out of their childhood homes or access ownership.

“The only way to deal with the housing crisis is by a declaration in law of a housing emergency, a right to housing in the Constitution, large-scale construction of social and affordable housing by local authorities on public land, rent reductions, a rent freeze and the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties by local authorities for housing applicants,” he said.

He argued that Gaeltacht communities face additional, specific pressures. He praised BÁNÚ for its advocacy work, noting that the term “bánú” refers to a place left empty and without life, a prospect he warned could become reality if housing shortages are not addressed.

Founded in 2023 and based primarily in Conamara, BÁNÚ campaigns for affordable and social housing in Irish speaking areas and for reforms to planning rules.

The group contends that the crisis is contributing to depopulation and weakening language and culture. It has organised protests, petitioned Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ministers and challenged the Minister responsible for the Gaeltacht on planning guidelines and housing delivery.

Deputy Healy also commended Tinteán, launched in November 2024 as a national campaign focused on housing in Gaeltacht regions.

The initiative, a collaboration between Conradh na Gaeilge and BÁNÚ, aims to mobilise communities nationwide to highlight what it sees as an urgent threat to Ireland’s linguistic and cultural heritage.

He identified four principal obstacles in Gaeltacht districts across Connemara, Donegal and Munster. Local authorities are delivering little or no housing schemes in Irish speaking areas.

The limited housing that is available is expensive. Planning restrictions on one off rural homes further constrain supply, while rental accommodation is scarce and costly.

To secure the long term future of these regions, Deputy Healy said Údarás na Gaeltachta must be granted enhanced powers and funding to acquire land and property for Irish speakers.

He called for the establishment of a dedicated housing department within the body to prioritise and construct homes in cooperation with housing authorities and utility companies. Legislation would be required and, he said, should be introduced urgently.

He also criticised the dominance of short term letting platforms, stating that Airbnb has taken over much of the market, leaving very limited long term rental supply.

The forthcoming short term letting and tourism Bill 2025, he said, must ensure that housing stock in Gaeltacht areas serves the language community rather than the profit of Airbnb and booking.com.

Finally, he urged the Minister for Housing to publish the long promised national Gaeltacht housing planning statement without further delay.

Guidelines first promised in 2021 remain outstanding and are now projected for the first half of 2027. A six year delay, he said, is not good enough.

The statement, he argued, must directly address the housing needs of Gaeltacht areas, promote the retention of Irish speaking residents, align development with language plans and tackle depopulation. “These measures must be taken urgently and I urge that they are done at the earliest opportunity,” he said.

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