Co-living an option for Cork says Taoiseach

Co-living units are an option for Cork, according to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who visited the Rebel County this morning.

Speaking outside the English Market, the Taoiseach said that around 2,000 new homes are expected to be built in Cork this year, adding that one development could even be a co-living development.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has come under fire in recent days for his stance on the controversial co-living apartments which boast bedrooms the size of parking spaces and one kitchen for every 42 people.

Tanaiste and Cork TD Simon Coveney was yesterday forced to hit back at opposition politicians for attacking Minister Murphy’s stance and comments after the Housing Minister said that young people should be “excited” about the co-living arrangements.

Speaking in Cork today, Mr Varadkar doubled down on the government’s support for the proposals.

“There are roughly 25,000 new homes expected to be built in Ireland this year, maybe 2,000 of these in Cork,” he said.

“It’s possible that maybe a few hundred - one development in Cork and two or three in Dublin - will be co-living.

“That’s an option for some people, people who don’t want to house share for example,” he added.

“There has been particular controversy around a particular development in Dun Laoghaire which doesn’t have planning permission and may not get planning permission because the government guidelines require a certain level of quality.” Bartra Capital have submitted a planning application for a co-living complex in Dún Laoghaire that comprises more than 200 “single occupancy bedspaces” and communal kitchens each shared by up to 42 residents.

Housing Charity Threshold has described the developments as “21st-century bedsits with a glossy makeover”.