Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)

I wish to discuss housing maintenance, in particular the impact of mould and damp on tenants of social housing in my constituency and throughout the country. It is an area I have worked in for almost two decades in an academic capacity doing research on the impact of mould and damp on residents and tenants and working with communities. Mould and damp are endemic across social housing in this city and the country. There is a systemic failure to provide people, particularly families, children and vulnerable people, with housing of a decent standard. A basic human right to housing includes at its core the right to adequate housing, which means housing does not have defects that impact health. The World Health Organization outlines clearly that mould and damp have major impacts on health, through asthma for example, and on other areas, even mental health.

There appears to be no urgency, transparency or accountability. Worst of all, no empathy is shown in how tenants are responded to as regards voids and housing maintenance. We need to go back to what worked, namely, in-house maintenance teams in local authorities. They were the backbone of housing upkeep. They could turn homes around quickly but they were decimated during the Celtic tiger period and again during austerity. I spoke to a man called Craig who contacted my office. He has lived in Ballymun all his life. He started working when he was 15. After experiencing homelessness, he finally secured a local authority home, which was a chance to rebuild and recover. That home has become a nightmare for Craig and his mother. Mould is destroying his clothes, bed linen and belongings. It covers the walls and ceilings. He is only 23 but now he cannot work because of the health impacts of living in these conditions, which include congestion, facial pain, headaches and disrupted sleep. His doctor had to write to Dublin City Council, pleading for action. Is this what social housing looks like in a wealthy republic? If Craig gives up and leaves that home, how long will it sit empty before it is restored and made habitable? Will it be weeks, months, a year?

This is just one of many cases. Another case that came to the attention of my office is that of an older resident of Ballymun in her seventies who is experiencing a distressing housing situation. Her home is also filled with mould and destroyed with damp. She is 71 and has her own health issues. This impacts her physical and mental health. She contacted the council and was told it would be eight or nine weeks before someone would be able to come out and even look at the property. How can older residents be subjected to this unacceptable wait time?

I also raise the issue of Cromcastle Court. It is now so dilapidated that residents wonder if it is already vacant and why has it taken ten years for regeneration. Similar estates across the city include Dolphin House, Pearse House and others. In my constituency in Finglas there are major issues with mould and damp. How long will tenants be left living in substandard accommodation that impacts their physical and mental health? We need more action and support for local authorities.

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