Government accused of not building a single affordable house in Leitrim

The government has been accused of not building a single affordable housing unit in Leitrim and neighbouring counties. 

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture & Rural Development Martin Kenny TD has expressed his anger at the failure by government to build affordable housing in the northwest. The Sligo-Leitrim TD’s comments come as he attended Sinn Féin’s housing proposals launch last week in Dublin. 

Teachta Kenny said, “The delivery of housing that is affordable for young couples, families and indeed older people is a serious problem across the country.

“This shortage of secure and affordable housing is not confined to urban areas, it is a significant issue in rural Ireland and is absolutely a factor in emigration and rural decline across the northwest.

“The difference in rural Ireland, and especially where I come from in Co Leitrim, is that we also have a population decline, in many of our rural parishes and a major shortage in our towns.

“Not a single affordable house has been built under this government in the counties of Sligo, Leitrim or Mayo.  That to me is a damning indictment on this government and it’s attitude towards the people I represent. 

“This is adding to the population decline and emigration we are seeing right across rural towns and villages.

 “In the last number of Daft.ie reports, we have seen a huge increase in year-on-year rental costs across Sligo and Leitrim.  In fact Sligo has been consistently well above the national average increase in rental costs.

 “The longer this government continues to allow vulture funds and cuckoo funds dictate housing policy, the longer our workers and families will be unable to afford housing whether that be in the rental market or mortgaged homes. 

 “The absence of affordable housing is draining people out of many parts of rural Ireland. 

 “This is something Sinn Féin is keen to address, and the proposals set out by my colleague Eoin Ó Broin go a long way to solving the housing difficulties so many of our rural dwellers are facing. 

 “For example, the cost of an affordable house under the Sinn Féin plan would be approximately €250,000.  This is for a compact, A-rated, home built on public land where the state funds the land cost and the service provisions. 

 “This policy would provide affordable houses for people to have and keep, and if they are sold, they will continue to be affordable houses for the next purchaser, thereby creating a new, long-term, and fair sector in housing.