The work over the next five years by Tipperary County Council in delivering housing locally is crucial to the future prospects of an entire generation, according to local election candidate, Ryan O'Meara.
Ryan O'Meara is the youngest candidate running in the Nenagh - Borrisokane - Lower Ormond area at the age of 28, and he says housing is the main issue concerning younger voters.
A first-time candidate in the upcoming Local Elections, Ryan points out there is an obligation on those elected next month to deliver for younger people and he has laid out steps he wants to see Tipperary County Council take during the next term of office.
"The housing crisis is impacting all age groups in various ways, however, it is clear from speaking with people my own age that our hopes and aspirations for our future are firmly pinned on securing affordable housing in the Nenagh - Borrisokane area.
"We are seeing a huge number of young, talented, educated people emigrating at the moment and while that is not a new phenomenon by any stretch of the imagination in Ireland, what is absolutely essential is that we give them a chance to return home after some time of travelling and working abroad. Having a place to call home and having the ability to afford our own home is absolutely essential to this.
"I believe that there is a great deal of work that Tipperary County Council could and should be doing to ensure that we increase housing supply locally. We need to provide homes for younger people and families.
"There are a number of steps that I want to see Tipperary County Council taking during the next Council term to make this a reality. Young people are sick and tired of hearing politicians talking about housing and saying "more needs to be done" but with little substance following these sweeping statements, and we want more.
"I want to see Tipperary County Council providing an Affordable Housing Scheme in Nenagh, with funding through the Department of Housing to deliver affordable purchase and rental housing in Nenagh as an absolute priority. I want to be the voice in the Nenagh - Borrisokane that really pushes for this at Council level."
"There are over 200 planning permission approvals for social homes in the Nenagh district, momentum is certainly building on the supply of social housing, but the process is too slow and the red tape needs to be scrapped. During a housing crisis, we should not be looking at a four stage process before we even get the sod turned on sites.
"Vast amounts of funding are being made available by the Department of Housing for building, but the Department needs to reduce bureaucracy and allow these homes to be built much sooner.
"The planning permission ban on log-cabin and modular style homes is absolute rubbish and needs to be scrapped. I have met a huge number of younger people and families who would love to get a roof over their heads, and these types of homes are much more affordable. We need to treat this housing crisis as a crisis and allow rapid-build log-cabins planning permission," he said.
In relation to the "blight" of vacancy and dereliction in our towns and villages, Ryan O'Meara said: "I want to see Tipperary County Council take much stronger action in acquiring vacant and derelict properties in the Nenagh - Borrisokane area. We have housing stock sitting there, not being utilised, in many cases for years and decades.
"I can point to numerous houses in Nenagh town alone that have never been lived in during my lifetime. That is completely unacceptable. We need to see stronger powers for compulsory purchase in cases such as these.
"The Croí Cónaithe grants for vacant and derelict properties are very popular while speaking to younger voters, and I very much welcome them, but urgent action must be taken in cases of properties that are being left idle for years and not placed on the market.
"Downsizing for those who wish to do so, and town-centre living above commercial units are also key steps that must be taken. Our planning laws and support from central Government must reflect this need and I would like to see Tipperary County Council really focus on this over the coming years."
"There are steps that can and must be taken at local level in the short to medium term that could make a real difference to housing supply locally.
"Momentum is building with housing commencement and completion figures increasing year-on-year, but as we await further private developments in the area, I am certain that younger voters want to see Tipperary County Council intervene with ambition and determination in all of the areas mentioned.
"We are tired of listening to politicians and candidates providing sound bites on this issue. We want action at local level and we want it now", Ryan said.
