'The Father of All Problems': Martin Kenny on Leitrim's housing crisis

Sinn Féin candidate Martin Kenny recently addressed the housing crisis in Leitrim, describing it as "the father of all other problems". Speaking at an event in Manorhamilton on Friday Nov 15, Kenny explained that the severe shortage of available accommodation in the county is at the root of many issues, with far-reaching effects on the local economy, essential services, and the overall stability of the community.

Kenny particularly pointed out how the lack of housing is directly impacting the recruitment and retention of vital workers, including teachers and healthcare professionals. He highlighted the difficulties new teachers face in Leitrim, unable to find rental properties or suitable housing in the local area. "When you have new teachers come to a school, discover they can't find a place to rent or a place to live in their local community, and they may go somewhere else, all of those things are having an impact," he explained. This shortage, according to Kenny, creates a ripple effect, affecting the quality and availability of essential services across the county.

Kenny also discussed Sinn Féin's broader objectives for the upcoming elections, stating, "In Sligo-Leitrim If we're going to really ease the cost of living pressures on people, not on a one-off basis, but on an ongoing basis, if we're going to sort housing, if we're going to sort the infrastructural needs of the West and the Northwest, we need a new government to deliver those things," he said.

"The problem we have, and the big problem, is an accommodation problem, and a housing problem, and that's the real issue that we need to tackle," he stated. Without sufficient housing, both long-term residents and newcomers, essential to filling jobs in key sectors, will continue to face significant challenges.

In his vision for addressing the crisis, Kenny called for a comprehensive approach, combining various strategies. "Yes, we need delivery across all of it, from council and social housing to affordable housing for people who find themselves caught between having too much and qualifying for the council, but not earning enough at the moment to buy on the private market," he said. He also emphasized the need to support small builders, particularly in rural areas like Leitrim, where SME builders face significant barriers such as limited access to finance, planning challenges, and land availability. "We need to help those smaller builders to actually get going again and get building again," he explained.

"There’s also the question of derelict and empty, vacant properties that we need to address as well," he stated. To further illustrate Sinn Féin’s comprehensive approach, he urged the public to look at their five-year plan, which covers all aspects of housing and infrastructure needs.