17/09/2014

Environment Minister Urged To Rule Out Prefab Housing

The Environment Minister Alan Kelly has been asked to clarify reports that prefab housing is being considered as a response to the housing crisis.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on housing, Michael Kitt, made the call following speculation that Dublin City Council is considering offering families that have nowhere to live the option of prefabricated accommodation.

"I was shocked to read comments by Dublin City Council that they are considering providing accommodation for families in prefab buildings. Currently many schools throughout the country have prefab buildings to deal with increased student numbers. In many situations, even as a classroom, prefab buildings are unsuitable. I find it incomprehensible that these would be considered as a serious response to the housing crisis," Deputy Kitt said.

He added: "Environment Minister Alan Kelly should immediately rule out prefab buildings as the answer to this crisis. If this is on the agenda, it is illustrative of the utter failure of Government to take the problem seriously.

"There is a genuine housing crisis in this country. We need more permanent homes to be built and we need a Government that starts to take the issue seriously."

(MH/JP)

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