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LOCAL Councillors received mixed news on social housing across the county at recent Council meetings.
At the January Metropolitan District meeting of Waterford City & County Council, Cllr Sharon Carey (FG) expressed concern at the lack of social housing planned for the Estuary area.
“Unless I’m missing something, there is no social housing planned for Cheekpoint and Passage East,” she said.
“As we all know the country is in the midst of a housing crisis. This is reflected in the number of housing representations I have received since being co-opted onto the Council.”
She asked that the Council clarify the current and future plans for the Estuary area – particularly for Passage East and Cheekpoint.
In response, Senior Executive Officer (Housing) Joe Sullivan said that Cllr Carey was correct in noting that there are currently no plans for direct build social housing in the area. He said the Council would welcome expressions of interest from property owners, including under the Repair & Leasing Scheme and Buy & Renew scheme. Mr Sullivan reiterated that there are currently no plans for direct build social housing in the areas mentioned by Cllr Carey, adding that he was not sure if land is available.
Meanwhile, there was more positive news on the housing front at the January Comeragh District meeting of Waterford City & County Council. Cllr Liam Brazil (FG) said the people of the area have been “wronged” because of the lack of social housing throughout the past 20 years. “Portlaw would say differently, but I still maintain that Kilmac is the capital of Comeragh,” he said. Cllr Brazil, who has repeatedly called for social housing for Kilmacthomas, said he was told at government level that funding is available. Director of Services Ivan Grimes said he was happy to report that the Council is finalising a submission to the Department for a social housing project in the village comprised of eight to 10 units. Mr Grimes said he was confident that the Council would receive the funding from the Department. He expects the application to be submitted to the Department within the next four to six weeks.