Former Mayor Of Ennis Claims Some Social Housing Tenants "Living A Nightmare"

Clare FM

Anti-social behaviour in Clare's social housing estates is said to have "escalated out of all control" since the lockdown. Reports of disturbances such as excessive noise and joyriding are on the rise in estates across Clare with new figures pointing to a near 20% spike. When tenants in Clare local authority housing complain about anti-social behaviour, the complaints are dealt with by Clare County Council, the county's Estate Management Team and Gardaí. Since the beginning of the year, 449 such complaints have been made, which is up by more than 18% on the same period last year. In its efforts to combat the growing problem, a staggering 1,054 housing inspections have been carried out in Clare in 2024 to date. Although the complaints aren't broken down by category or issue, the majority are said to relate to noise, cars driving around estates late at night and unauthorised parties. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly claims many tenants are "living a nightmare" due to the behaviour of their neighbours. The vulnerability of children is a point of particular concern for those monitoring social housing in Clare, as evicting problematic tenants can often lead to children falling into homelessness. Following inspections that have taken place this year, 37 referrals have been made by the county's Estate Management Team to Tenancy Support Services such as TUSLA. Clare County Council says the team "engage proactively with tenants to help prevent anti-social behaviour, facillitate the daily patrol of local authority sites, arrange specific meetings with tenants as well as engaging with local communities". Sixmilebridge Fine Gael Councillor and Clare County Council Social Development Strategic Policy Committee Chair, John Crowe believes the spike in domestic incidents started during the lockdown.