Family of six left in mould-ridden council flat despite serious health concerns
By Mary Dennehy
DESPITE being recommended for a housing transfer by a public health nurse, a family of six has been left to live in a cramped, mould-ridden, two-bed apartment in Tallaght.
Martina Cole and her partner Glen live in a two-bed, ground-floor, council apartment on Cushlawn Walk with their four children, aged 11, two-and-a-half, one-and-a-half and six months.
Since moving into the accommodation nearly four years ago, the family claims it has experienced ongoing issues with damp and mould, a situation which Martina believes has escalated due to the overcrowded conditions in the two-bed apartment.
Martina and her husband Glen share the larger bedroom with their three youngest children, while their 11-year-old son sleeps in the smaller, second bedroom in the apartment – which, despite none of the family having mobility issues, is a wheelchair accessible home.
Martina told The Echo: “We have been battling the council since we moved in here over the damp conditions, and over the years cots, beds and clothes have all been destroyed by mould.
“We’ve had to replace so much and we simply don’t have the money anymore.
“The problem is getting worse and I do believe that six of us living in a two-bed apartment has heightened the problem.
“We are constantly cleaning the walls and skirting boards and despite scrubbing down the whole place at Christmas, the mould is all back again.”
She added: “I’m also concerned that we’re living in a wheelchair accessible apartment when we don’t require that access and it’s not suitable for us.
“I’m sure there’s lots of families out there looking for wheelchair accessible places.”
While the overcrowded conditions “are not ideal”, Martina stressed that her main concern is for her children’s health, with her youngest children diagnosed with asthma and bronchiolitis – and her two-and-a-half year old suffering from constant infections in her mouth and on her fingers.
The Echo has seen a letter issued by the family doctor which diagnoses one of the younger children with bronchiolitis, a condition, according to the GP, “exasperated by damp and mould conditions in the family accommodation”.
A letter, also seen by The Echo, was sent to the Housing Department of South Dublin County Council by a HSE public health nurse, who recommended that the family be placed on a priority transfer list for housing due to conditions.
According to the letter, the conditions are impacting on the children’s health and motor development, as Martina is reluctant to allow her kids floor-time due to mouldy conditions and the presence of booklice – insects which feed on mould or fungi.
“The health of my children is our main concern,” Martina said.
“My partner is on a CE scheme during the day and I spend a lot of time with my three youngest in the apartment.
“I try to keep them away from the mould but it’s hard, especially with the two-and-a-half year old.
“The council has come out a number of times but nothing has ever happened, and now we’re being told it’s our own fault due to the overcrowding.
“We know this is a structural problem and we’re just asking that it’s sorted for our kids’ health.”
A number of questions were put to South Dublin County Council, however a spokesperson said that the local authority does not comment on individual cases.
