‘We need to look at housing becoming more affordable or we’ll lose generations’

Councillor David Dunne during the Tipperary County Council’s October meeting presented a motion to establish a working group of councillors and officials of housing and planning, who are interested in researching the potential use of modular housing as a temporary solution to the lack of housing in Tipperary.

The aim of this working group is to develop a policy paper that can be presented to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for consideration. “It’s a problem for planning, all I’m asking for is a small group to get together and form a small subgroup. We can actually be the first council to deal with this properly,” said Dunne.

Councillor Annemarie Ryan “Shiner” welcomed the motion saying: “In Cork they have set up a pilot project for temporary housing using modular homes. I’ve got people in hostels who can’t get out of them. What David and I are asking is that we come together and look at innovative ideas.”

Councillor Máirín McGrath commented: “I really do think we need to think outside the box in regards to this issue. I fully support this. A working group should come together.”

Councillor Pat English made this stark remark in relation to high levels of young people emigrating abroad due to the housing crisis. “We need to look at housing becoming more affordable or we’ll lose generations,” said the councillor.

This motion asked for a moratorium to be given to existing modular homes until a response is received from the department of housing. This would be to allow those who live in these modular homes now with no planning a grace period until solutions are found. Sharon Kennedy of the Planning and development division said this wouldn’t be possible and councillor Dunne asked for the motion to be amended to leave this out.

READ NEXT: ALERT: Bogus traders operating in Tipperary village 'selling tarmac services'

“We can do across Strategic Policy Commitment engagement in regards to this topic. The second part of that SPC is requiring Tipperary County Council not to implement the law… that is not possible we do not have the authority to do that. That part of the notice of motion is unworkable for us, it’s not legal but we would be more than happy to implement the rest of the notice of motion” said Sharon Kennedy. 

All those present were in favour of passing the amended motion.

READ NEXT: Pub quiz in Tipperary to fundraise for defibrillator