22/10/2010
Ghost Estates Are 'Celtic Tiger Domesday Book'
The Labour party have claimed the revelation that almost 120,000 houses stand empty in Ireland is akin to an Irish "Domesday Book".
A report from the Department of the Environment, published yesterday, said there are more than 2,800 so-called ghost estates in the country, leading to calls for action by the Opposition parties.
The report, giving a county-by-county inventory of unfinished estates, identified some 23,000 completed but unoccupied houses and apartments commissioned by the Department of the Environment.
A further 20,000 are at various stages of completion, half of which have been identified as being at "early stages" of construction. Just over 78,000 houses within incomplete estates are occupied, while 58,000 houses have permission but have not been built.
is clear is that people who bought homes in these estates are living through a hell that has come about as a result of a government that saw housing policy simply as a means of delivering bounty to their pals in the construction and investment community, rather than providing homes for people who need a place to live.
Labour Spokesman on Housing, Ciarán Lynch, said it is clear that people who bought homes in the estates are "living through a hell" as a result of the Government's housing policy.
Mr Lynch said many of the estates were given the go ahead as a means of delivering "bounty to their pals in the construction and investment community", rather than providing homes for people who need a place to live.
"[The report] reads like a Domesday Book for the tail end of the Celtic Tiger. We need a plan of action to tackle this scourge, as a matter of urgency. These estates are at best an eye-sore and at worst a safety and security risk for local residents. In particular we need action on issues like security on incomplete estates, establishing teams at local level to tackle this problem."
The survey was carried out by the department from May to September. It shows that building had started on 120,000 homes in ghost estates.
An expert group is now being set up by the Government to advise on how best to deal with the problems of ghost estates. Membership of that group will include representatives of local authorities, the banking and construction sectors, NAMA and building professionals.
(DW)
A report from the Department of the Environment, published yesterday, said there are more than 2,800 so-called ghost estates in the country, leading to calls for action by the Opposition parties.
The report, giving a county-by-county inventory of unfinished estates, identified some 23,000 completed but unoccupied houses and apartments commissioned by the Department of the Environment.
A further 20,000 are at various stages of completion, half of which have been identified as being at "early stages" of construction. Just over 78,000 houses within incomplete estates are occupied, while 58,000 houses have permission but have not been built.
is clear is that people who bought homes in these estates are living through a hell that has come about as a result of a government that saw housing policy simply as a means of delivering bounty to their pals in the construction and investment community, rather than providing homes for people who need a place to live.
Labour Spokesman on Housing, Ciarán Lynch, said it is clear that people who bought homes in the estates are "living through a hell" as a result of the Government's housing policy.
Mr Lynch said many of the estates were given the go ahead as a means of delivering "bounty to their pals in the construction and investment community", rather than providing homes for people who need a place to live.
"[The report] reads like a Domesday Book for the tail end of the Celtic Tiger. We need a plan of action to tackle this scourge, as a matter of urgency. These estates are at best an eye-sore and at worst a safety and security risk for local residents. In particular we need action on issues like security on incomplete estates, establishing teams at local level to tackle this problem."
The survey was carried out by the department from May to September. It shows that building had started on 120,000 homes in ghost estates.
An expert group is now being set up by the Government to advise on how best to deal with the problems of ghost estates. Membership of that group will include representatives of local authorities, the banking and construction sectors, NAMA and building professionals.
(DW)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 May 2014
Special Housing Fund To Be Used To Complete Developments
A €10m Special Housing Fund announced as part of the Budget 2014 is to be used to help complete 86 housing developments across the country, Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, has announced.
Special Housing Fund To Be Used To Complete Developments
A €10m Special Housing Fund announced as part of the Budget 2014 is to be used to help complete 86 housing developments across the country, Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, has announced.
18 February 2011
Gov Pledges Assistance To 'Ghost Estates'
Ireland's unfinished housing developments are to receive some €5 million in financial assistance, according to a Government announcement today. The Department of the Environment said it would provide local authorities with the means to tackle problems related to unfinished housing developments, such as health and safety hazards.
Gov Pledges Assistance To 'Ghost Estates'
Ireland's unfinished housing developments are to receive some €5 million in financial assistance, according to a Government announcement today. The Department of the Environment said it would provide local authorities with the means to tackle problems related to unfinished housing developments, such as health and safety hazards.
08 December 2010
'Ghost Housing' Estates In Focus
The issue of unfinished Houses across the Irish State is to be tackled at top level.
'Ghost Housing' Estates In Focus
The issue of unfinished Houses across the Irish State is to be tackled at top level.
09 October 2018
Budget 2019 Housing Proposals 'Show No Imagination'
The housing proposals included in the Budget 2019 show "no imagination" and will do nothing to ease the housing crisis when it comes to rent, according to Labour Housing spokesperson, Jan O'Sullivan. Deputy O'Sullivan continued: "The budgetary measures leaked this overnight show that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have little regard for renters.
Budget 2019 Housing Proposals 'Show No Imagination'
The housing proposals included in the Budget 2019 show "no imagination" and will do nothing to ease the housing crisis when it comes to rent, according to Labour Housing spokesperson, Jan O'Sullivan. Deputy O'Sullivan continued: "The budgetary measures leaked this overnight show that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have little regard for renters.
11 August 2014
Investigation Launched Into Cork Shopping Centre Fire
An investigation has been launched into a fire at a shopping centre in Cork. Cork City Fire Service was called just before 14:00 after a fie broke out in a hair saloon at the entrance to Douglas Shopping Centre. The centre, which also houses branches of Tesco and Marks & Spencer, was evacuated while fire crews dealt with the blaze.
Investigation Launched Into Cork Shopping Centre Fire
An investigation has been launched into a fire at a shopping centre in Cork. Cork City Fire Service was called just before 14:00 after a fie broke out in a hair saloon at the entrance to Douglas Shopping Centre. The centre, which also houses branches of Tesco and Marks & Spencer, was evacuated while fire crews dealt with the blaze.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A bright start in the east then a mostly cloudy day with a lot of high cloud. Cloudy with some patchy rain possible in the afternoon. Light winds. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Cloudy through the evening with some patchy rain, chance of more prolonged rain in the southeast for a time. Then staying mostly dry but cloudy overnight. Minimum temperature 6 °C.