'When we go out even to socialise, we are asked about housing:' Limerick social housing target disquiet

A COUNCIL official has admitted that it’s unlikely the local authority will meet its target of social housing provision in the Adare-Rathkeale district.

Sarah Newell told councillors at the monthly meeting of the area that by the end of 2026, just 70% of the local authority’s own social housing delivery action target is expected to be reached.

As things stand now, there are 78 of the 154 target homes in the pipeline for construction. “We are at 51% of our programme,” she confirmed. “We are at the proposal stage for as many as we can to make up our target as efficiently as possible.”

She added: “We recognise we won't meet our 100% target by the end of 2026, but we are aiming to build as many units as possible, so at least we will get to 70% of our target.” The area contains settlements like Croom, Askeaton, Rathkeale, Adare, Foynes and Pallaskenry.

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Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey expressed concern. He said: “In this day and age, where we have so many people stressing to us on a daily basis their need for housing, and people who are in severe dire straits looking for property, we don't have the answer. And we are not going to have the answer. That's unfortunate guys. It's unfortunate because we as members of this local authority have to ultimately explain the dire situation.”

Cllr Teskey said it is he and his colleagues who are in effect the public face of the local authority, and left to explain the situation. “There’s a saying from experience: when you're explaining, you're losing. That's exactly what we are experiencing on a daily basis. When we go out even to socialise, we are asked about housing. Have you a house for my brother? We have a child who has severe ADHD,” the councillor added.

As of now, Ms Newell confirmed 78 homes are approved to be built, with 53 not approved.

There are around 5,800 people on the housing waiting list county-wide.