Housing crisis deepens as Tipperary councillors frustrated over ongoing wastewater delays

Councillors in Nenagh have voiced growing frustration over housing delays, warning that infrastructure shortcomings are worsening the local housing crisis.

At the March meeting of the Nenagh Municipal District, members raised serious concerns about the delayed completion of the town’s wastewater treatment plant, now pushed back from 2024 to 2029.

Cllr Seamie Morris warned that the delay is directly impacting housing delivery, telling the meeting that new developments risk being stalled without guaranteed wastewater connections.

He said the situation is “failing people”, pointing to families in temporary accommodation and young people being forced to leave the area due to lack of housing.

He also suggested the council should consider legal action against Uisce Éireann over the delays.

Responding to the concerns, Director of Services Brian Beck acknowledged the frustration but said the issue is part of a wider national challenge.

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He confirmed that Tipperary County Council continues to engage with Uisce Éireann and added that while the council is meeting and exceeding overall housing delivery targets, local projects remain dependent on the timing of wastewater upgrades.

Separately, Cllr Pamela Quirke O’Meara raised concerns about declining participation in the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), noting that fewer landlords are engaging due to stronger returns on the private market.

The meeting also heard that several key housing developments in the Nenagh area are unlikely to be completed until closer to 2029, largely due to their reliance on wastewater infrastructure.

Councillors warned that without urgent intervention, the gap between housing demand and infrastructure delivery will continue to widen