Sinn Féin TD, Violet-Anne Wynne, has called on Clare County Council to procure vacant units and to follow up on commitments to provide Emergency Accommodation for Kilrush and surrounding areas. 

Teachta Wynne said:

“It has been highlighted time and time again, that West Clare suffers from a lack of homeless services, lack of social housing and having few rental properties available. 

“The nearest emergency accommodation is over 40km away and the situation is unsustainable.

“At the same time, we have a consistently high number of vacant units in the area – the highest in the country at the moment. It would seem obvious that these units could be obtained to provide emergency accommodation for families and individuals who are extremely vulnerable.

“It is deeply concerning that during a pandemic there has been no sign of any increased efforts to address the lack of homeless accommodation in West Clare, particularly when the need for isolation units might arise for families and individuals in homelessness, to help keep people safe from the virus.

 “The trauma associated with homelessness is bad enough but made even worse by the lack of services in the area. People deserve to have adequate support services in place and there is no excuse for these serious gaps in services on offer.

“The provision of homeless accommodation for Kilrush and surrounding areas is much needed and long awaited, and Clare County Council must seriously follow through on previous commitments which have never been progressed.”