Mayoral Candidate Dee Ryan pledges ‘fresh thinking and practical solutions’ to tackle housing crisis

Candidate for Directly Elected Mayor, Dee Ryan, has pledged a fresh focus on housing if elected to office on June 7th. 

Ryan said as Mayor, she would bring a fresh approach to tackle vacancy, dereliction and the ongoing undersupply of all types of housing across Limerick. 

She said: “Limerick is suffering from an undersupply of housing. During my time as CEO of Limerick Chamber, research undertaken showed that Limerick requires about 2,400 new homes per annum, while only circa 800 were built last year. As a result, I am meeting young adults daily, trapped in their childhood bedrooms, as well as young families unable to afford their own home.’’

Ryan pledged that, if elected, she would do everything in her remit to increase supply of homes over the Mayor’s term.  “It is not fair that a whole generation of Limerick people in their 20’s and 30’s are missing out on, or delaying, important milestones like moving out and buying their own home.’’

Ryan, speaking about how the Directly Elected Mayor can influence housing policy, said that the local authority has an important role to play in bringing forward affordable homes. She said: “We need sites of scale in the urban areas, and a common-sense approach to one-off rural housing, to deliver the houses people need. While Housing for All is the Government’s national housing strategy, regional implementation of the policy is crucial, particularly in Limerick with a younger than average population. The Directly Elected Mayor has a critical role to play in the solutions.”

Ryan, acknowledging that housing is a complex issue, said she will use her platform as Directly Elected Mayor to influence housing policy. She said: “I am asking the people of Limerick to put their trust in me on June 7th. As Directly Elected Mayor, I would use my influence and mandate to highlight the need at local and national government level for increased affordable housing in Limerick.”

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