West Cork woman (88) faces looming prospect of homelessness

The Minister for Housing has agreed to examine the case of an 88-year-old woman in County Cork, who is facing homelessness.

Jennifer Marley is being forced to vacate her rented Bantry home, after receiving a notice to quit.

She had been living in the private rented accommodation for the past six years, but the landlord now plans to sell the property.

James Browne says his department will work with Cork County Council in an effort to resolve her situation.

"My department is reaching out to the County Council to see what measures can be put in place and we also gave significant funding to local authorities around Tenant In Situ and to prioritise older people as well," he told Newstalk. "We'll engage with the local authority to see if this particular lady's situation can be resolved."

After receiving a notice to quit, Jennifer Marley from Bantry registered for social housing some time ago and is actively seeking assistance from Cork County Council.

But with no suitable accommodation being offered and the clock ticking, she fears being forced into emergency homeless accommodation or a nursing home.

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins raised Ms Marley's case in the Dáil, saying homeless accommodation is not suitable for someone like her, and since she is capable of living independently, a lack of housing should not force her into a nursing home.

Nor, he added, should she be made to leave the locality she has long called home.

"This woman is part of the fabric of our community — and now, at 88, she is being abandoned," said Mr Collins.

"We cannot continue to treat elderly Irish citizens with such contempt."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin responded to Ms Marley's case after it was raised in the Dáil, requesting that her details be passed on for further engagement. He said it should be possible to accommodate her in a council house.