New social housing project needed for New Ross

The state must invest in a major new social housing project for New Ross according to one local election candidate.  Oisin O' Connell said that there was already a severe affordable housing shortage around New Ross, and with rising rental prices now becoming a problem in other areas, it was only a matter of time before we would face a housing crisis in this district.

"Over €1 billion euro has been cut from the housing budget since 2008 while the need for social housing has doubled during the same period,"  Mr O' Connell said.  "In New Ross there has been a 30% increase in the social housing waiting list between 2011 and 2013."

"Sinn Féin has consistently called for NAMA properties and unfinished estates to be nationalised and used for social housing.  However, the government have instead began to demolish many of these properties.  Instead of being used to house families, they are being turned in construction filling."

"Before 2008, the state was regularly building 4000-5000 new social housing units every year.  Now they claim that funding is not available.  This is untrue.  In a recent jobs plan, costed by the Department of Finance, Sinn Féin proved that money could be found to construct 9000 new units over a two year period."

"In addition to providing much needed accommodation for struggling families, the construction of these new homes would also create employment for the stricken building industry."