Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the progress with the Department's housing plans. It unfortunately still falls short of addressing the current chronic housing shortage. The deficiency is leading to high rent demands, most of which are beyond the reach of young families. This has left some parents and relatives with no alternative other than to help their loved ones. For some, the only way to help is to provide a modular dwelling on their property to give their loved ones a roof over their heads. When such circumstances strike, the element of right or wrong becomes an afterthought. They can either risk being harshly penalised by the local authority for permitting such a dwelling, or they can stand by and watch their loved ones become homeless. A family would do anything to avoid seeing a son, daughter or other family member without accommodation. Some months ago, I had a discussion with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, about the predicament of many genuine people across County Tipperary and north-west County Kilkenny. They have been served with threatening legal letters or enforcements due to the fact that they have a historic unauthorised modular home located on the same grounds as a family home. These people placed the mobile homes as a matter of last resort. In many cases I am aware of exceptional circumstances, which make this absolutely necessary. Will the Minister of State tell me what progress is being made in that regard?

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