Sir, – The questionable validity of retrospective implementation of building regulations has greatly exacerbated our existing housing crisis.
The welcome arrival of Ukrainian refugees will add a further burden which could easily become a very significant long-term problem if the man in the Kremlin has his way.
In addition to the current efforts to find emergency accommodation, there is something else that can be done quite easily.
It is well known that there are in excess of 90,000 units in Ireland’s derelict housing stock; these figures, however, do not include the extensive disused living accommodation above shops in every village, town and city.
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Most of the functioning commercial premises on any main street have above-shop accommodation which is empty or used for storage.
Years ago bank managers lived and reared families above the bank, similarly the butcher, grocer, newsagent, draper and hardware merchant all lived above their commercial premises and there was family life in the town centre.
Most of these above-shop premises are perfectly clean, dry and equipped with all utilities necessary for immediate occupancy, they just don’t comply with current construction standards.
What was good enough for the bank manager and the merchant families in times past can easily be made available again by allowing a waiver on regulations for domestic premises that pre-date those regulations.
Apart from helping to alleviate the housing crisis, there is an opportunity here to reinvigorate our town centres, increase commercial footfall and reduce the need for transport from rural areas because most amenities are within walking distance of a town centre – it just requires some legislative innovation from our Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL FOLAN,
Donegal Town.