No social housing available

THIS week’s meeting of Kilkee Town Council heard there are 151 people on the council housing waiting list in the area. Speaking on her motion asking that the Government invest in social housing in Clare, Councillor Claire Haugh said there is no social housing currently available in Kilkee.
“There isn’t a single local authority house to let in this town,” Councillor Haugh stated.
Town manager Nora Kaye highlighted the lack of money available to Clare County Council to invest in either buying land or building houses.
Councillor Karen O’Reilly suggested that a rent-to-buy scheme be encouraged, while Councillor Paddy Collins said the decrease in Kilkee’s population could be attributed to the lack of council housing in the town.
“We now have the smallest population in the history of the town,” he said, adding that it stands at just over 1,000 people.
“It’s very difficult for people to get accommodation (in Kilkee) for 12 months,” Councillor Haugh noted, saying people who own potential holiday homes want them free for three months’ summer rental.
Meanwhile, Councillor Lily Marrinan-Sullivan highlighted sewerage issues at Cluain na Mhara on the Carrigaholt Road. Councillor Marrinan-Sullivan said a number of houses have been hit on a long-term basis with sewerage issues, leading to pungent odours.
“There are implications for people’s health,” she warned.
In reply, town engineer Derek Troy said the water services section in Clare County Council had received no direct contact from residents in recent months.
“A maintenance routine has been put in place to flush out the sewerage mains at this location, which should prevent future problems,” he advised.
Councillor Marrinan-Sullivan said that, if needed, she would ask residents to directly telephone or email the council with their complaints, while Councillor Haugh said if an issue is highlighted by a public representative, that should suffice.
Town clerk John Corry said the problem is a concrete pipe, which had “a rough section”. It would cost €15,000 to replace the pipe in question.