Tipperary councillor says he has looked at modular houses as his only chance to own a home

A Tipperary councillor has said he considered modular housing because traditional home ownership is out of his reach.

Speaking at a recent sitting of Tipperary County Council, Nenagh councillor Ryan O’Meara shared his experience of researching

the idea, a few years ago.

“I was thinking this was my only chance to have a home,” said Cllr O’Meara.

Cllr O’Meara said that the modular homes he viewed were “fantastic.”

But, he said it was his experience that he did not receive the correct information having been told to “chance” building without planning permission.

Cllr O’Meara was supporting a motion put forward by Cllrs Ann Marie Ryan and David Dunne calling for the formation of a working group to examine modular housing as a temporary solution to the shortage of homes in the county.

The motion also called for a “moratorium” for those who have already built their modular housing without planning permission.

Cllr Dunne said this won’t solve the housing crisis but might ease a growing problem of log cabins and mobile homes “popping up everywhere.”

He said people are not getting the information they need and as a result, there have been some “high-profile court cases.

He said experts would present to the group that includes officials from the planning and house sections and they would create a model of temporary housing that could be submitted to the government.

“The only option is for us to do something like this. We can be leaders in this,” said Cllr Dunne.

Motion co-sponsor Cllr Ann Marie Ryan said that she noted the council's response that this be referred to the planning SPC but said the “missing link” there was the involvement of the housing section.

She said schemes and initiatives have already been set up in Cork and Limerick and Tipperary should at least examine the issue.

“As a councillor, my role has changed significantly. My role is in housing and we really need to be innovators,” said Cllr Ryan.

Most of the councillors present supported the motion.

Cllr Seamus Morris said he was concerned about the Polish population in Tipperary.

He said many of them have lived in the county in the same houses for 15-20 years and are now being issued Notices to Quit as their landlords sell or need the property for family members. He said took a call from a family that morning he couldn’t help and he helpless as a councillor.

“I feel like there is nothing I can do. I have never felt more like giving up.

“The staff in the council do their best but we have to declare an emergency,” said Cllr Morris.

Cllrs John Carroll and John O’Heney both supported the motion saying the country is losing its young people due to the crisis.

Cllr Liam Browne said he has spoken to people who feel there is no point in working because they would receive more support where they unemployed.

“We can't have a society like that,” said Cllr Browne.

Cllr Michael Smith said he agreed with most of the motion but was concerned about the moratorium element.

He said the motion should have been discussed with other members before submission.

Director of Services Sharon Kennedy said they were willing to form a working group but a moratorium wasn’t possible.

She said the council must follow the law.

“The executive does not have a choice in the matter,” said Ms Kennedy.

Cllrs Ryan and Dunne accepted that the moratorium would not be possible and an amendment to the wording.

Cllr Ryan asked that the group be established “sooner rather than later.”