Wexford couple with nine-year-old child forced to live separately as council says ‘they are adequately housed’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

A Wexford couple with a nine-year-old child are being forced to live separately after being told by the council that they are “adequately housed”. Raising the issue at the meeting of the Rosslare Municipal District, Councillor Aoife Rose O’Brien said the couple’s living arrangements were not suitable.

“They can’t afford to rent or buy, they meet the criteria for social housing but have been told (by Wexford County Council (WCC) they are adequately housed,” she said. “One of the couple has serious epilepsy and is living with his father who has health conditions of his own.”

In an effort to prove they should be rehoused the couple has provided medical forms from both their GP and a specialist, but to no avail.

“I can’t understand why they’re being told they’re adequately housed,” continued Cllr O’Brien. “They are entitled to have their own home, especially when there’s a child is being raised in a house where someone has a serious medical need.”

Housing officer Sharon Ryan said she would look into the case once the meeting had concluded.