Council urged to identify what is 'prohibiting' people from living in South Kerry

Kenmare had featured on one of the biggest TV programmes in the US last week, yet young couples were struggling to buy or build homes there, councillors told

Independent councillor Johnny Healy-Rae warned that Kenmare was losing families because of a lack of housing. Stock picture

A survey should be carried out in South Kerry to identify what is “prohibiting people from living there”, Kerry County Council has been told.

Independent councillor Johnny Healy-Rae said housing shortages, planning restrictions, and inadequate infrastructure were making it increasingly difficult for young people and families to remain in or return to the region.

Speaking at a meeting of the council, he said Kenmare had featured on one of the biggest TV programmes in the US last week, yet young couples were struggling to buy or build homes there.

He argued the lack of housing was having knock-on effects for schools and businesses, with pupil numbers falling and some workers being accommodated in hotel rooms due to a shortage of available housing.

Mr Healy-Rae said fewer than 100 pupils had started school this year across 12 primary schools stretching from Bonane to Glenbeigh, and warned Kenmare was losing families because of a lack of housing.

He said demand for housing in Kenmare remained strong, but supply was severely limited. As an example, he cited two families with five children between them who wanted to move to the town but could not find suitable accommodation — as a result, five children have been lost to the local school, he said.

He said little or no housing had been built in Kenmare since 2006 due to infrastructure constraints and claimed planning rules were discouraging people from even applying for permission to build homes.

"My question is, what is prohibiting people from living here?" he asked.

Host Carson Daly enjoying his time in Kerry as NBC’s Today show broadcast live from Sheen Falls Hotel in Kenmare. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Mr Healy-Rae said too much emphasis was being placed on encouraging young people to leave for university rather than pursue apprenticeships and careers locally. He said those who wanted to return faced numerous barriers.

He argued increasingly complex planning requirements, including environmental and road-related restrictions, were discouraging many people from even applying for permission to build.

The councillor also warned rural communities such as Lauragh risked becoming little more than national parks if younger generations could not remain in the area.

Mr Healy-Rae called on the council to conduct a survey or organise a workshop to identify the factors preventing people from moving to or remaining in South Kerry.

In a report to councillors, the local authority said the Kenmare Municipal District Local Area Plan 2024-2030 has zoned more than 53 hectares of land for residential development, with capacity for between 880 and 1,395 homes.

The council said future population growth would depend on job creation alongside residential development and highlighted the importance of strengthening towns such as Kenmare, Killorglin, and Caherciveen.

• This article is funded under the Local Democracy Scheme