People in Kerry waiting for a social home in their own area are being told that it might never happen.
That’s according to manager of the Killarney Municipal District, Martin O’Donoghue, who said people awaiting social housing need to be willing to move outside their own area.
Figures provided at the recent Killarney MD meeting show there are 1,501 approved applicants awaiting social housing in the Killarney area.
Labour councillor Marie Moloney said at the meeting that the social housing list in the MD never gets shorter, and it seems they are never, ever going to get to the bottom of the list.
Over half of all approved applicants awaiting housing are seeking one-bed units; Independent councillor Brendan Cronin said there is no progress with this type, and it will take ten years to get housing for all 867 people seeking one-beds.
MD manager Martin O’Donoghue said in one way it looks as if they are racing just to stand still with housing, but the council is making significant progress.
Senior Executive Officer in housing, Ger O’Brien, told the meeting that building a large number of one-bed units would mean apartment complexes, but some people would refuse an apartment as they want a bungalow and back garden.
Mr O’Donoghue said there’s no impediment to getting housing projects approved by the Department of Housing, but the process of delivery is slow, the planning process is slow, and the approval process is slow.
He said unfortunately if someone is waiting for a property in their backyard, it might never come.
He said government policy is that housing in Kerry is acceptable for people awaiting housing in Kerry, and there’s no tolerance or sympathy for otherwise.
Mr O’Donoghue added many people on the housing list have no interest in ever bidding for a property, but they are happy living privately on housing supports.
The council will develop a new Housing Delivery Plan later in 2026 which will outline all activity, but for now there are plans for 60 new units in Ballydribeen, and five in Fleming’s Lane.
It’s expected 132 social homes will also be delivered by Co-operative Housing Ireland this year at Cronin’s Wood.
