It’s claimed a lack of housing availability is severely stifling economic growth in Clare.
It comes as the latest report from the Economic Social and Research Institute shows that Ireland has one of the biggest age gaps in home ownership rates in Europe.
The ESRI’s landmark cross country housing affordability report, published this week, found almost 80% of people aged over 40 owned their own homes, in comparison to just a third of adults under 40.
Of the fifteen countries surveyed in Europe, Ireland’s age disparity in home ownership rates is the second highest on the continent and a Clare estate agent believes the lack of available properties is posing a major threat to economic growth here.
Almost 7,000 people in this county are currently employed by 71 Foreign Direct Investment companies, while the Industrial Development Authority facilitated eight site visits from FDI firms to Clare in the first three months of the year in the hopes of securing further investment.
There are just 17 properties listen to rent in Clare today on Daft.ie and Douglas Hurley from DNG O’Sullivan Hurley in Ennis believes that in the event of a major jobs announcement, employees would be at a loss to find accommodation.
A Clare Commercial Director meanwhile is describing the government’s latest housing initiative as a drop in the ocean.
The New Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme will aim to deliver 4,000 cost rental homes by 2027, with maximum grants of €175,000 to be made available per unit to builders outside of Dublin.
Ian Barrett, Director with the Shannon Chamber of Commerce is raising concerns over the major population surges expected in Ennis and Shannon in the coming years.
He says a pandemic style response is need to tackle Ireland and Clare’s housing emergency.
You can listen to the full interview below.
