The Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council has warned lessons need to be learned from the mistakes of Irish Water before another semi-state company is established to deal with the housing crisis.
It’s one of a number of options being considered by the government as Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry reports:
As the housing crisis deepens, there has been increasing pressure on the government to take action.
The semi-state body being floated as one option to tackle it would take power away from local authorities and deal with housing centrally.
It would also have the ability to raise its own capital, which would be pumped back into the market nationwide.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has acknowledged the housing and homelessness crisis is still an “enormous” problem – however, he says the government are doing their best.
Amongst Clare Councillors there has been a mixed reaction to the suggestion of a new body to deal with housing.
Fianna Fáil Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Tom McNamara, a member of the Council’s Social Development Committee that has responsability for housing is vehemently opposed to the idea of another “Irish Water”.
Clarecastle Fine Gael represetative Paul Murphy says it’s good to see some action being taken.
