Calls for housing in Donegal to be ‘assigned special status’

A call has been made to declare a housing emergency due to the lack of available housing and the ongoing mica crisis.

Denis McGee of the 100% Redress Party stated that “the government must acknowledge the fact that, though defective concrete has been discovered in other Irish counties, Donegal remains the epicentre of the disaster with an estimated 30,000 homes affected.”

This figure references the Rabach 2024 Society Social Studies of Science. The motion was put forward at the Donegal County Council Plenary meeting and seconded by fellow party member Ali Farren. 

“Housing has been mentioned,” Farren said. “It is no secret that there are problems in Donegal at the moment with the lack of housing. This has been exacerbated by DCB defective blocks. In rural Ireland, it is extremely difficult to get planning. We should be a special case. I support this council to do what is required.”

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Patsy Lafferty, Director of Housing, Corporate and Cultural Services, responded, “This county has specific challenges in relation to the issues of defective blocks. It is occurring at a scale that is not experienced elsewhere in the country. The scale and severity of it are impacting aspects of life for many people in the county, but most acutely on the delivery of housing. 

“In addition to that, there are other systematic issues that affect the delivery of housing in the county, both public and private. For example, the updated national standard for block work, concrete and aggregates and road infrastructure constraints that are inhibiting developments across various locations as well. 

“I am happy that the motion is adopted and to make the case to the minister and seek a formal delegation in order to further raise these issues.”