'It is getting worse': Cork mum fears for her children's health living in ‘deplorable’ social housing

AN expectant mother voiced concern for her children’s health as she struggles to cope with shocking living conditions.

Rimgita Anusauskaite who lives on Noonan’s Road in Cork city spoke to The Echo ahead of her due date.

The social housing resident said she doesn’t want a second child to be born into the same conditions that have significantly impacted her three-year-old daughter Kayla’s life.

Her main issue is currently black mould which she claims has led to Kayla being forced to miss a number of days in creche due to issues with her chest.

Ms Anusauskaite attributes their health issues to the mould in their bedroom which she said should have been resolved years ago.

The 23-year-old is part of the Noonan’s Road residents’ committee, which was formed to highlight residents’ concerns.

Social-housing residents said they had felt “abandoned” by City Hall in July, resulting from what they described as unsafe accommodation.

The committee even staged a protest outside City Hall.

Several of the homes, seen by The Echo at the time, had multiple occurrences of black mould in interior rooms, and some exterior balconies appeared to be crumbling, with a number of their canopies apparently unstable.

The Baker’s Road flats were built in the 1960s and have the “three-storey maisonette” design that was introduced to council housing across the city by the then city architect, Eamon O’Byrne. Rimgita said that her family’s living conditions are worsening. She currently resides in her parents’ home, which she also shares with her sister.

“I have had to take my child out of creche because the mould has made her sick,” she said.

“The ceiling is leaking. There are so many leaks and it has only become worse since the storm. The council still haven’t fixed this, so it has turned into a waiting game. Kayla has spent her life with this.

“I am hoping to get on the council list, as she should be in her own room by now. I have to swap rooms with my parents, because the mould problem isn’t as bad in there. It’s been really tough.”

Community activist William O’Brien, who is advocating for residents in Noonan’s Road, reiterated their frustration.

“It’s harrowing to see a mum living in such deplorable conditions,” Mr O’Brien told The Echo.

“This is a really poor reflection of the housing department and how it operates. All that residents want to do is protect their children and grandchildren, but they are not being listened to.” His remarks come more than three months after chief executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, visited the southside location and voiced her shock at living conditions.

The Echo previously published details from a December 2022 Cork City Council draft report on the Noonan’s Road and St Finbarr’s Road flats, which identified “major structural defects” and recommended the complete demolition of the buildings.

The Echo has asked Cork City Council for comment.