Galway housing crisis
Deputy Farrell argued that housing in Galway is worsening, with long waiting lists and families being pushed toward impossible HAP options. The Taoiseach disputed that housing is getting worse overall, pointed to rising national housebuilding, and said local barriers in Galway should be addressed with local managers.
The Galway housing crisis is just getting worse. I genuinely cannot believe that it is getting worse year on year. This year, we are not seeing the housing stock that we need coming on stream. I am dealing with a couple in their 60s who have been nine years on the housing waiting list. They have to leave their rental property, and they are being told that the only option available to them is HAP. Anyone who knows Galway city knows that getting a HAP property is impossible. We are now at the stage where we cannot house our babies, our children, our adults or our older people. We are literally saying to people that the one thing this Government can guarantee them is that it cannot house them, from the cradle to the grave. This is getting worse. It is a disaster. I am asking the Taoiseach to help and intervene for people in crisis in Galway city who cannot find a place to live.
Comment on this
The number of houses being built is increasing, and the numbers of social houses are at record high levels.
Comment on this
There may be specific issues in Galway. The Deputy needs to talk to the county manager and the city manager in respect of getting projects built more quickly and removing any barriers to getting housing developed.
Comment on this
All the permissions are up in terms of planning permissions for new homes. The number of houses being delivered has gone up, particularly social housing. Close to 10,000 were built last year. The highest number of social houses are being built annually since the 1970s. Some local authorities do better on social housing than others.
