The offshore islands are “very far down the list of priorities for our policymakers” according to the Islands’ Federation, Comhdháil Oileán na hEireann, which has decided to carry out a survey of the housing needs of the islands.
“There is a housing crisis in Ireland and unless we ourselves come up with solutions, we will be left behind,” says the Federation representing offshore island communities. “The purpose of this study is to ascertain the views and needs of island residents on their households present housing circumstances and future housing requirements. We need concrete and accurate data. We ask communities on the Islands to fill out the online survey. All the information will be processed by University College Cork.”
The research is being carried out in partnership between Comhdháil, Comhar na nOileán and researchers from UCC. “This study has obtained ethical approval from the UCC Social Research Ethics Committee and is completely confidential,” the Federation says.
The survey will provide the basis for a report on the current and future housing requirements of Ireland’s island residents, according to Comhdháil.