150. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to allow for modular housing and low-cost sites, to address the urgent housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4551/26]

Sentiment score: -0.11

I commend the Minister and his junior Ministers on the tireless work they are doing on the housing crisis. Will the Minister provide funding to Kerry County Council to construct modular homes as part of the solution for social and affordable housing? Will the Minister allow Kerry County Council to grant planning permission to individuals and families who wish to construct a modular home? Will the Minister roll out a scheme of low-cost sites across County Kerry?

Sentiment score: 0.19

In every corner of County Kerry today, there are individuals, couples and families who wish to build or buy a family home. Even though they are in good jobs, they cannot get a mortgage big enough to buy or build. These are nurses in University Hospital Kerry, teachers, members of an Garda Síochána, employees of good companies like Liebherr and Fexco in Killorglin, etc. Constituents who I am meeting on a daily basis are telling me they would be more than happy with a modular home. A good quality modular home will last 70, 80 or 90 years. In regard to achieving this, I have been hammering the point that Uisce Éireann needs to roll out a scheme of constructed wetlands across County Kerry, in my case. We have more than 40 villages unsewered and many more that are at capacity, including my own village. The constructed wetlands are a much cheaper and faster form of wastewater treatment. There are so many areas in need. We can make a real impact here if we do that.

Sentiment score: 0.26

We must give an opportunity to those on middle incomes. They are caught between social housing and being able to afford to build their own homes. I believe the modular home is a solution. Low-cost sites are an incentive there as well to help these people get on the property ladder. To achieve this, yet again, as I mentioned, we have over 40 unsewered villages in County Kerry and a number of others that are at capacity; we need to provide wastewater treatment in these areas. Again, I am emphasising that constructed wetlands is one of the solutions. It is much cheaper and much faster to put in place. We need to get the ball rolling in addressing the housing crisis.

Sentiment score: 0.14