Fine Gael failing Cork families and young people on housing – O’Sullivan

– 980 city and county properties being let out on Airbnb on Oct 31st –

“Consistent Housing Ministers, including the current Fine Gael Minister, have failed to deal with housing in this country, and the latest stats regarding Airbnb in Cork demonstrate that only a change of government can lead to the changes families and young people in Cork desperately need,” said Cork North Central Bye Election candidate, Cllr. Padraig O’Sullivan.

“Cork city and county had, between them, 980 properties available for rent on Airbnb on October 31st.

“Many of these properties aren’t simply spare rooms, but full units that should be rented by families and young couples.

“There is a housing crisis in this city, yet the government seems content to sit on their hands and hope that the market will fix itself.

“This laissez-faire style of governing just doesn’t work with housing and health. Cork people shouldn’t be competing with tourists for somewhere to sleep.

“Evidence obtained by Fianna Fáil shows that no Non-Principal Private Residence planning permission requests have been made in Cork city or county, while there are no dedicated staff in either councils to work on short term letting regulation.

“Under the rules in place since July 1st any non-principal private homes used for short term lettings must apply for planning permission, while principal primary residencies used for short term lettings are subject to a 90-night limit for the whole home and must notify the local authority.

“Press releases don’t build houses. Fine Gael just don’t get it when it comes to housing; I’m running to bring a fresh, strong voice to Dáil Éireann because eight years of Fine Gael government has made the situation worse,” concluded O’Sullivan.