‘Dublin Dollar’ is driving up Waterford house prices
Cllr. O'Riordan raised the issue of housing at this month's Dungarvan Lismore District Council meeting. Photo: iStock
At the November Dungarvan-Lismore District Council meeting, Independent Councillor Joe O’Riordan gave a stirring speech about the state of housing in Dungarvan.
He said: “The number of people contacting local representatives on a daily basis in crisis mode, having been served a notice to quit, is staggering.
“The spectre of homelessness is a bleak and frankly appalling prospect for anyone in a rental property."
He asked if it would be possible to extend the Living Cities initiative to Dungarvan.
He said: “West Waterford has become somewhat of a barren ground for first-time buyers, up to June of this year there were zero first-time buyers of new builds in Dungarvan. There were just 60 new builds in the Dungarvan district in the last 12 months against the Minister’s target of 360. The last five years we’ve had a net increase of 2,800 jobs and only 373 houses built. At this rate some people will be waiting nearly 10 years to buy a house.
He also said other factors were putting pressure on the housing market. He said that 6 out of 10 houses in Dungarvan bought recently were bought with cash.
“Obviously, the Dublin dollar is flexing its muscle in this area. Without a massive increase in the delivery of houses employers will cease recruiting. A number of local employers have already ceased recruiting because they can’t find accommodation for potential recruits.
“We need to get serious about house building in this district. Drogheda rural has built 530 houses in the last year. Blanchardstown, Kilkenny and Enniscorthy have all increased their output. We need to do the same."
Cllr O'Riordan pointed out that, “From 1986 to 2015, when we had very little wealth in this country, stats were one new job, one new home, two new kids. From 2015 to now, in a time of unprecedented wealth, the stats are for every five new jobs, one house... and one child for every three homes.
“Tramore’s rate is 40 homes per thousand, ours is 18.”
Cllr O’Riordan then ended his comments by asking the Council to consider partnering with HISCo (Housing Infrastructure Services Company).
Senior manager Ivan Grimes responded that the Council were indeed in contact with HISCo.
