Log cabins are a real possibility to ease the housing backlog in Tipperary

A process needs to be put in place to adequately deal with succession planning for council house tenants, the Tipperary County Council full meeting heard recently.

Councillor Michael Fitzgerald raised the issue of succession regarding housing and spoke of the stress it can cause to those living in the house.

He pointed out that there are many issues surrounding the entitlement to a home and said that a huge amount of people are in accommodation that doesn't suit them across the county. He felt that it was difficult to find a solution:
“I think the whole succession thing is something that can be looked at. Having to tell people, who are not tenants and who think when the older person dies that they are entitled to the house, that they are not entitled to it is tough.

“That is a situation where we can look at forming some type of system within our county that would entitle them down the road but let it be a process,” he added before explaining that balance is needed in what is a delicate situation: “We have to know in our own minds what is the right thing to do and what is not the right thing to do. If we can form a happy balance there, we will be great people.”

Cllr Fitzgerald also looked for clarification to see how many new builds were one bed houses saying:
“I don’t see any one-beds anywhere. I see people living in HAP one beds over pubs and apartments which are totally unsuitable for them. I would like to get rid of the notion that we are approving one bed houses because it is not happening.

“We have a situation in Bansha at the moment where there are houses not built yet, there are no keys being given out and, I’m told, it is being held up by Irish Water.

“People are approved on that housing list for a one-bed and they think they are going to get a house in Bansha because they are on the list but they haven’t a hope in hell unless they can prove they are entitled to it in some way whether it be medical grounds or that they would qualify for a two bed house.

“We have had several party workshops with Kieran O’Donnell, the Minister of State. I have spoken to him. He hasn’t ruled out the whole situation of the log cabin, of the modular container type emergency housing for people.
“We have a long way to go with housing,” he said.