North Tipp Cllrs call for expansion of government's housing programme

CLLR Phyll Bugler pointed out during this month's meeting of Nenagh Municipal Distrct that the Croí Conaithe scheme is quite good but not good enough.
“One of the irritating things about it,” she remarked, “is that after the owner has availed of the grant and renovated the formerly vacant building there is no renting provision in the scheme. "It is ridiculous," she commented, "that the scheme doesn't include a provision that the property should be rented to those who need it, such as those on the social housing waiting list.
"I know of quite a few landowners and farmers who have vacant or derelict houses on their land which they would love to renovate and rent out."
Cllr Michael O'Meara pointed out that the grant in the Croí Cónaithe scheme should be increased from €30,000 to €100,000.
Cllr Fiona Bonfield said Cllr Bugler's point about Croí Cónaithe was a good one. She pointed out that the government's Housing for All is falling short of what is needed and therefore isn't get to grips with the Housing Crisis.
Cllr Joe Hannigan commented that there are several housing schemes available and Croí Cónaithe has been getting the most positive feedback, but it needs to be considerably improved. He said he's dreading the end of the evictions moratorium on March 31. "I think we are going to see see a torrent of people losing accommodation. It's going to put serious pressure on people. People are at their wit's end. Perhaps, more modular homes might be part ofthe answer. We have to think outside the box here.” A Council official said there have been 63 notices to quit served so far, in Tipperary, in 2023. “When people receive Notices to quit please contact the Council as soon as possible. We can help.”