In the Gaeltacht regions of Ireland, Banú, an organization advocating for housing policy reform, is urging the Irish Government to intervene. The goal is to facilitate families to work, live, and thrive in the scattered Irish-speaking areas across the country. Aoife Ní Chonghaile, the chair of Banú, emphasizes the need to retain residents in the Gaeltacht regions to safeguard the Irish language.
Addressing Housing Challenges in the Gaeltacht
Banú was established following a public gathering in Connemara, Co Galway, triggered by the housing struggles highlighted by Adhna Ní Bhraonain in an article on tuairisc.ie. The difficulties faced by individuals like Ní Bhraonain, who returned to her home area and encountered obstacles in finding accommodation, resonated with many in similar situations. The organization aims to support individuals, especially the youth, who find themselves either living with relatives or residing abroad due to the unaffordability of relocating to the Gaeltacht.
At its inception, Banú attracted nearly 100 attendees, predominantly comprising young people seeking solutions to housing challenges in the Gaeltacht. The group has been actively identifying issues and brainstorming strategies to address these pressing problems with the overarching objective of preserving the Irish language as a vibrant and living entity within these regions.
Housing Shortage and Planning Hurdles
Reports from RTÉ shed light on the stark housing shortage in the Gaeltacht, with a mere four rental properties available between Bearna and Carna in Co Galway, in stark contrast to the 197 listings on Airbnb. Residents have encountered significant delays and complications in obtaining planning permission for constructing homes in these Irish-speaking areas. Delays in the planning process have been described as frustratingly prolonged, with cases where approvals took more than two years to materialize.
Banú seized the opportunity to engage with Irish Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien during his recent visit to Galway, urging him to tackle the housing crisis in the Gaeltacht regions. The organization sought assurances that the upcoming Planning and Development Bill would include specific provisions addressing the housing needs in these linguistically unique areas.
Calls for National Housing Policy
Conradh na Gaeilge, a cultural organization dedicated to promoting the Irish language, echoed Banú’s concerns and appealed to Minister O’Brien to devise a comprehensive national housing policy tailored to counter the declining population trends in Gaeltacht regions nationwide. The organization, during its annual Ard Fheis in Blanchardstown, emphasized the urgency of implementing measures to alleviate the current housing shortage in the Gaeltacht.
Julian De Spáinn, the General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, emphasized the necessity of removing existing barriers that impede individuals from residing in the Gaeltacht regions. The organization implored the Irish Government to introduce a holistic plan aimed at resolving the planning challenges in the Gaeltacht, ensuring the continuity of vibrant communities in these Irish-speaking areas.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of organizations like Banú and Conradh na Gaeilge underscore the critical need for immediate action to address the housing crisis in the Gaeltacht regions and sustain the vitality of the Irish language within these culturally significant areas.
