Research by the Oireachtas Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) estimates social housing needs in Laois at over €400 million.
The PBO’s research analysed the number of households eligible for, but not yet in receipt of social housing.
They based the costs on what it would take to house the number of households on the social housing waiting lists, plus households in receipt of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
Nationwide, PBO figures show 115,425 households with an ongoing need for permanent, state-supported housing.
The combined costs of building these households has been estimated at an eye-watering €35 billion.
The PBO estimates that there are a minimum of 235,659 people (4.4% of the total population) making up the affected households.
The figures estimated the ongoing need of dependent children affected at 92,116.
Independent TD for Laois/Offaly Carol Nolan has highlighted the scale of the current and future housing emergency, describing the data as “breathtaking.”
“It is absolutely clear that we are a critical juncture in terms of housing and accommodation and unless new and innovative solutions are implemented immediately the crisis will continue to get worse,” Deputy Nolan said.
“We have already seen this week how rising population levels are outstripping supply by a ratio of four to one.
“That combined with a decades old and dysfunctional planning system mired in bureaucratic red tape is destroying the capacity of entire generations to own their own home or even access a roof over their head.”
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