Isolation units being set up in Nenagh

Tipperary Co Council has commenced works on a number of vacant houses in Nenagh that could be used as isolation units during the Covid-19 crisis.
Working in tandem with the HSE and other State agencies, the council is making ready houses that could be used in situations where an individual does not have the option of self-isolating in their own home. 
But last week's meeting of the council's Nenagh Municipal District was informed that no houses in the district have been put to this purpose as yet. Councillors welcomed that the scheme could see 24 vacant or void houses brought back into use in Nenagh this summer.
Cllr Séamie Morris (Ind) criticised the council over what he described as a lack of communication that caused fear among residents of estates in Nenagh where works are being carried out on houses. Councillors had not been informed of what was happening and he was left “at a complete deficit” in trying to explain the situation to people. He pointed out that there had been long delays with turning around vacant houses before the pandemic; the sight of workers repairing houses in the middle of the crisis had caused confusion and concern.
District Administrator Rosemary Joyce said 24 houses are being worked on in the Nenagh district. Those working on them have clearance for essential works and a letter indicating that the houses may be required for isolation purposes. Such purposes might include a healthcare worker needing to self-isolate.
Ms Joyce clarified that no units have been identified for this purpose in Nenagh. The council is availing of an opportunity to bring the houses up to standard should they be required.
Cllr Morris had no problem with this but he felt there could have been a better level of official communication on the matter, rather than seeing members of the public raising it on social media.
District Director Marcus O'Connor said the council has been informed that the works are essential and exempt from the new restrictions on Covid-19. The council has in the past been criticised for not getting around to voids; now it is availing of an opportunity to bring 24 vacant dwellings back into use so that they could be allocated to people in need of accommodation once the current crisis subsides.
“Huge progress has been made in the last two weeks,” Mr O'Connor said. “This is an opportunity to catch up on those voids... It's good news that is coming out of this.”
District Engineer Barry Murphy expected to have 18 of the 24 dwellings ready for use by the end of next month. Roads workers who were stood down due to the crisis are available to assist with the house repairs. 
Those working on the houses are observing social distancing guidelines. “We're tackling an issue that's been there for a long time,” Mr Murphy added.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Hannigan (Ind) welcomed the progress but agreed with Cllr Morris that public representatives should have been given prior notice of what was happening. Of a similar view was Cllr John Carroll (FF), who said he was in contact with the Housing section the previous week and was told nothing about isolation units.
Cllr Morris noted that photographs had been circulated on social media of those working on the houses and he asked people to refrain from this. 
Mr O'Connor mentioned a number of incidents in which people had contacted the gardaí over works being carried out by the council. He again made the point that works on voids have been clearly identified as essential works that are exempt from the restrictions; a list of essential works is available on the council's website.
Cllr John Rocky McGrath (Ind) welcomed this “brilliant news” but he also thought the Housing section could have informed councillors about what is happening. “The council should have made some sort of statement,” he said. “It's no wonder people are frightened.”
Cllr Ger Darcy (FG) said all councillors in the Nenagh district had been contacted by concerned residents but he welcomed the “tremendous” progress being made by the council in bringing these houses back into use.
“There is confusion out there but people will be reasonable if they understand the situation,” he said.