‘Pure joke in a housing crisis’ – TD slams Uisce Éireann over delays affecting 26 new homes

Meath-west TD Johnny Guirke told the Dáil how many of the families now have nowhere to live after giving up their tenancies in private rental homes because they were informed the houses in the Johnstown Demesne estate in Enfield would be ready to move into last August.

However, the development by Westin Homes has been hit with consistent delays.

The Irish Independent reported in March how Coonan Property, the estate agent handling the sale, told the buyers there have been delays connecting the water supply.

Uisce Éireann said it “is not responsible for any delay in this process of connecting this development”.

Mr Guirke told the Dáil that Meath County Council said it has been waiting weeks for documentation from Uisce Éireann which is delaying an application for a road opening licence.

He said the council is waiting on a risk assessment, a road traffic management plan and a method statement from Uisce Éireann.

“Almost two weeks later, they have not sorted this out with Meath County Council,” he told the Dáil.

“I have to say, they are one of the most incompetent departments I have ever dealt with and they are a joke in a housing crisis. Can I ask that the department intervene to sort out this mess as soon as possible and let them know the effect their incompetence is having on families.

“Pure joke,” he added.

However, Uisce Éireann has responded to say it has “stepped in to resolve the matter by applying for the necessary permits to complete the public aide works that in this instance should have been completed by the developer”.

“Uisce Éireann’s contractor commenced works on the public side wastewater connection today,” the spokesperson added.

Some people who bought three-bed houses in the estate paid deposits of €38,500 and are now having to fork out thousands more in rental costs while waiting for the houses to be ready.

Others are coming to the end of their rental agreements and cannot find anywhere else to live - including couples with babies due to be born in the coming weeks.

The development comprises two-, three- and four-bedroom homes that are A-rated.

Buyers say they are growing frustrated by the lack of information. Uisce Éireann said it has “engaged extensively with this developer and will continue to support the developer to progress the delivery of the wastewater connection works”.

Westin Homes and Coonan Property were contacted for comment.