Challenge to find accommodation for incoming workers in Kilkenny

Mayor of Kilkenny, David Fitzgerald, has raised fresh concern over the lack of accommodation for incoming workers in Kilkenny.

His comments came during last week's meeting of Kilkenny City Municipal District Council.

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After welcoming the official sod-turning event that took place at the Abbott Ireland site in Kilkenny earlier that day, he then highlighted the 'significant challenge to find accommodation for incoming workers'.

His comments mirror the concern in the findings of a recent property study by property agents Hooke and MacDonald.

That study identified a ‘severe shortage’ of new homes on the market in Kilkenny that is adversely impacting companies operating here.

It came to the conclusion that measures need to be introduced urgently by the government to make it viable and fundable for builders and developers to provide housing in Kilkenny and throughout the country.

Although many of the new jobs will inevitably be secured by local people, there will be some jobs, particularly high-end jobs, that will presumably be secured by people outside of the county.

These people may seek to move to Kilkenny and contribute back to the local economy by living here, but their plans may be thwarted by the county’s current property market.