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Independent TD Michael Collins has launched a stinging critique of the failure of Government to address the unfair burdens being experienced by young rural dwellers seeking planning permission to build their own homes.
The Cork South West TD was speaking following a Dáil debate on housing and homelessness:
“The simple fact of the matter is this; people are sick and tired of having to jump through endless hoops, at great cost in terms of time and expense, just to be then denied approval for a modest housing plan,” said Deputy Collins.
“Every single week I have young couples coming to me on the verge of being worn down by the bureaucratic maze they must navigate. We must find some way of simplifying the process and enabling those who want to live and rear their children in rural areas to do so.”
“Government must accept that the demand for so-called one-off housing reflects a real desire on the part of many peoples to build this type of home. There is little point in Government making this process difficult just because it conflicts with its objectives for ‘compact’ development.”
“We also have to get to grips with the manner in which county development plans are rapidly becoming a disaster-a situation only compounded by the squeezing out of local representatives and councillors.”
“The state should be assisting those willing to build their own homes. It certainly should not be in the business of creating obstacles and unfair burdens, which is precisely what it is doing at the present time,” concluded Deputy Collins.
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