Council housing shortage highlighted

Kilkee-based Fianna Fáil county councillor Pat Keane has highlighted what he feels is a serious shortage of council housing in West Clare.
He raised the issue at Monday’s meeting of the six West Clare county councillors, which was held in the county council offices in Ennis.
“Due to the large number of families on the housing list, I am asking this council to examine the possibility of leasing unsold houses on a long-term basis to families in dire need,” Councillor Keane proposed.
He estimated that there are up to 1,200 vacant houses in Kilkee at present. This figure includes holiday homes.
“I think that we, in West Clare, have a major problem in relation to people on the housing waiting list,” Councillor Keane claimed. “Can we do something in relation to sourcing houses? We should find out what’s available first.”
The meeting heard there is a shortage of council housing in Kilkee, Quilty and Kilmihil.
“The amount of people looking for houses now is unbelievable,” Councillor Oliver Garry stated.