Kerry councillors seek nationalities of people allocated social housing

The monthly meeting of Kerry County Council heard it needs to 'kill off the false and untrue rumours' that most houses are being allocated to non-Irish

It was claimed reports are 'rampant' that non-nationals are 'getting all the houses' in new developments in Killarney and Tralee. File picture: Denis Minihane

Kerry County Council is being asked to release the nationalities of those in receipt of social housing in Killarney and Tralee to counteract widespread belief that most houses are being allocated to non-Irish.

It was claimed reports are “rampant” that non-nationals are ”getting all the houses” in Cronin’s Wood, a 249-unit social housing development nearing completion.

Independent Killarney councillor Brendan Cronin told the monthly meeting of Kerry County Council he understands the requirements of data protection, but the council needs to “kill off the false and untrue rumours".

“I know it’s completely untrue. Can this be dealt with in the proper fashion? It’s totally unacceptable and needs to be rooted out.” 

Councillor Marie Moloney said councillors no longer know who are being allocated social housing. They have no way of counteracting people “giving out bad news” and saying no Irish are getting houses. 

“I don’t want the names. But I do want nationalities for a counter argument. I can’t defend what I don’t know,” the Labour councillor said.

However Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris accused her colleagues of "inflammatory language” and of “feeding and fueling the fire” by seeking the nationalities of housing recipients.

Ms Moloney said “quite the opposite” was the objective. The information on nationality was being sought in order to counter rampant rumours.

“I’m certainly not derogatory to anyone; I’m trying to defend,” she said.

Independent councillor Jackie Healy-Rae asked the length of time on waiting lists be included in future statistics.

Housing director Niamh O’Sullivan said anyone allocated a house by Kerry County Council was a qualified applicant.

Some 604 social houses by the council and approved housing bodies were allocated in 2025 in Kerry, according to a housing report. 

Some 38% of all allocations were to households that included a person with a disability. This included physical, sensory, mental health and intellectual disability.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Also, some 13% of housing was to those with exceptional medical emergencies, the homeless or were allocated on compassionate grounds.

One-and two-bed units made up 63% of the houses allocated while three-bed houses accounted for 32% last year in Kerry.

The council is on target to deliver its target of 304 houses in 2026, with 125 houses delivered to date, the housing director said.

Funded by the local democracy scheme.