Small Waterford village facing ‘existential crisis’ amid demographic changes

A small County Waterford village is facing an “existential crisis” amid demographic changes, the Dáil has heard.

Waterford Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness raised the issue during a debate on the Government’s new housing plan.

Deputy McGuinness described the plan as a “blueprint for failure”, saying it did nothing to support rural communities who are facing depopulation.

He outlined the situation in Ardmore, Co Waterford, where there are issues with an affordable housing scheme.

Deputy McGuinness said: “The housing crisis in Waterford is now undermining the very future of towns, villages and the city.

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“Rents are rising out of control, up 7.6% this year, which is above average. While affordable and social homes remain stuck in process and are delayed, families are left waiting.

“Nowhere is that failure more stark than in the village of Ardmore, where a community is facing an existential demographic crisis because an affordable housing scheme that is being spoken about has been pushed from pillar to post, from local authority to department and from department back to local authority, for years.”

The Sinn Féin TD went on to the effect that this is having on young people in the area and across the county.

“Young people have been driven out and are being driven out still. The demographic core is thinning and the village risks losing the very people who sustain its services, its school and its very identity.

“That same pressure stretches from Dunmore East to Lismore, and from Bunmahon to Waterford city.

“This neglect and indifference must end. Like my colleagues, I appeal to the Minister to change course.”

“We hold very little hope because the plan he has published is an abomination and an admission of failure,” he added.

Deputy McGuinness was one of a wide range of speakers during the debate, which was attended by Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell.

Although no direct response to Deputy McGuinness’ query was forthcoming, Minister O’Donnell did speak about affordable housing more generally.

He stated: “Deputies spoke about affordable homes. That issue came up consistently. What does this plan do? It sets a target.

“We want to provide 15,000 supports for the people who qualify for the help-to-buy and first-home schemes and through local authority loans and the vacant property refurbishment grant.

“A point that came up earlier was that people may not have read the plan. I suggest they go back and do so.”

The Government launched its new housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030’, on November 13.

It aims to build 300,000 homes by 2030, with an emphasis on social housing, affordable supports and tackling homelessness.