From People Before Profit Carlow/Kilkenny
‘Ditch The Failed Rapid Builds – Open Vacant Homes’ Says People Before Profit
Minister Eoghan Murphy has been slammed for his ‘pathetic’ solution to the housing crisis while 250 delegates from the Irish Council for Social Housing spent the weekend in the luxury Lyratth Hotel. Adrienne Wallace the People Before Profit Rep in Carlow said, ‘following a scandal filled week for Fine Gael after a number of schools were closed due to structural defects that arose in relation to the rapid-build process it is ridiculous to propose that more rapid builds will solve the housing crisis.’
‘Murphy is look for market solutions to a market-based problem. The government need to invest in decent, affordable state build homes. It is pathetic and insulting to all those on the housing list and on the streets to propose rapid-builds when we have already seen that they are not up to scratch. Mr. Murphy would prefer to see a continuous stream of public money be handed over to these construction businesses instead of investing in sustainable solutions. There are over 2,000 vacant homes in Carlow, I am calling on Minister Murphy to give Local authorities the funding to open them up and ditch the failed rapid-builds!’
Stephanie Hanlon, the People Before Profit Rep in Kilkenny added, ‘The government have even failed in meeting their own targets in addressing homelessness last year. Their approach to housing is neither sustainable nor realistic. According to the 2017 Rebuilding Ireland Progress Report, 1000 new rapid build houses were due to be built – but the government met just 208 houses, which was just 20% of its planned target. The social housing list in Kilkenny increased this year. This government need to stop with the spin and start building real homes.’