Housing minister invited to address Cork City Council on city's lack of affordable homes

Councillors pass Sinn Féin motion to invite minister to Cork, while Labour representative also wants justice and transport ministers to visit 

Councillors are calling on Housing Minister James Browne to visit 'to discuss the shortage of housing in Cork City, the unaffordability of new homes being built within the council's administrative area, the city's homelessness crisis, and other issues.'

Cork City councillors have passed a motion calling on the housing minister to address the council on the pace of housing delivery in the city.

The council passed a motion from Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch calling for James Browne, the newly-appointed Housing Minister, to meet with the council "at the earliest opportunity to discuss the shortage of housing in Cork City, the unaffordability of new homes being built within the Council's administrative area, the city's homelessness crisis and other issues".

Mr Lynch said that while 1,200 homes were built in Cork City last year, they were largely unaffordable to many people. He said: 

The homes that are being built are not affordable and are far beyond the reach of ordinary workers and families. 

"In 2025, house prices are expected to increase again, and there are now more people accessing emergency accommodation in Cork than ever before.

"We are in a housing emergency and the response must reflect this."

He said the vote to invite Mr Browne "is an opportunity to set out the scale of the crisis in Cork with him directly, and to hear what he plans to do for Cork; to deliver the homes needed, to make them affordable, and to dramatically reduce homelessness in the city. We look forward to his response".

Labour councillor Peter Horgan had earlier had a motion moved to the council's Corporate Service department which called for Mr Browne to be invited to Cork alongside Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien and Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to discuss "Cork-specific" issues. 

Mr Horgan said that early in the life of the Government is the "perfect time" to impress upon ministers the issues facing Cork.

"My own motions were not combative at all, they were to get in the ear of the ministers at the start of their term. 

"They're ministers, but not just for Dublin. I think it would be really helpful.

I would hope that the ministers would come and try to catch a bus at rush hour. 

"I'll happily join Darragh O'Brien to do that. And not to be populist, but to show the reality facing Cork.