There are fears that if the housing shortage is not addressed in Kerry’s Gaeltachtaí, the Irish language here will die.
Principal of Scoil Naomh Gobnait in Dún Chaoin, Malachaí Mac Amhlaoibh says providing long-term homes for Irish speakers is essential if Gaeltachtaí are to be kept alive.
He says holiday homes have priced locals out of the area.
Mr Mac Amhlaoibh agreed with a protest held outside Leinster House this week, which called for Údarás na Gaeltachta to be given powers over housing in Irish speaking areas, and for the introduction of a national planning statement for the Gaeltacht:
Malachaí Mac Amhlaoibh said he will highlight the issue to the Minister for the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, who is visiting Kerry today.
The minister will turn the sod at a public playground adjacent to the Blasket Centre.
The local community co-op Comharchumann Dhún Chaoin have been campaigning on the project for five years, with work on the six-week project finally due to start in the next ten days.
