Action demanded to tackle house dereliction

THE ongoing problem of dereliction on the city and county’s housing estates is now at crisis point, and adding his voice to those of Limerick’s elected representatives is Sean Griffin, Sinn Fein spokesperson for Limerick City South. Calling on Limerick’s city and county managers to take immediate action on the issue, he says that dereliction in the city’s Hyde Road and Prospect areas is now reaching epidemic proportions. “It poses a major health risk to the people living adjacent to these eyesores and the derelict houses are also giving a run-down look to areas where most residents strive to keep their houses in good condition,” says Mr Griffin who points out that many of the houses involved are in good condition internally.

“If they were upgraded they could be let out to rent to some of the 3,000 plus people we have on the House Waiting List – the managers could authorise action to rectify what is a deplorable situation”.
Pointing out that there are a number of what s usually termed “privately owned” properties that are derelict with overgrown vegetation, rat infestation and a “galaxy of bugs, bees, flies and other species of insects, Mr Griffin adds”
“These houses were bought by the ‘for profit’ property speculators during the so called boom and are now abandoned because they have been vandalised or burned out, but now there is no money to be accrued from them in their present condition.
“The result is that they are allowed to deteriorate until they become a health hazard and there is also the reluctance of Limerick City Council to use the Derelict Sites Act or the Dangerous Buildings legislation to solve at least some of the problem”.
As has frequently been stated in City Hall, Mr Griffin said that when contacted, the council officials usually reply that they are unable to discover who the owners are or that the owners have undertaken to have the matter attended to.
“This never happens and the dereliction remains but it’s no longer acceptable that this situation continues and I’m calling on the managers to take immediate action to have the situation rectified,” he said
“We are constantly hearing lamentations by the Local Authorities about the low take up of the Household Charge, that according to them, is to provide essential services to the citizens but why should citizens pay this unfair charge when they are being forced by the very same local authority to live in disgraceful conditions that are threatening their health”.