Mother ‘drained’ dealing with council on transfer list issues

A WOMAN looking to downsize her house due to serious health conditions says she is “physically and mentally drained” due to being on the council’s transfer list for the last four years.

Carmel Kennedy is currently living in a three-bed house owned by South Dublin County Council in Harelawn Park, Clondalkin. Since being diagnosed with lung cancer in October last year, Carmel says she can no longer maintain a house of that size and is seeking to transfer to a smaller apartment.

“My husband is living here since 1981 and I moved in in February 2004 with our son Séan and we signed for joint tenancy in December 2010,” Carmel tells The Echo.

“I have a lot of health issues myself to which my GP has listed in a letter. I had my lower right lobe and surrounding lymph nodes removed on December 3, 2020.”

Carmel underwent a CT scan on June 25 this year, which revealed that there was no recurrence of cancer on the lungs but a nodule which showed up on her right breast is currently being investigated.

“I feel that they are dragging their heels with this matter. I have appointed my sister Angela to deal with South Dublin County Council on my behalf as dealing with them has drained me physically and mentally.

“Angela sent them an email on Friday, July 2021, but the only reply she got back was from a TD out her way in Ballymun.”

Recently, The Echo reported that the average waiting time for people seeking a 4-bed house on the housing list is 13.3 years, but Carmel says this would not be the case if the transfer list was dealt with quicker.

“There is a long waiting list for 2, 3 and 4-bed houses and I am willing to give back to the council a 3-bedroom house.

“I was told that there are two idle apartments in Lucan that we want, and I have put my interest to the council but for them there is this waiting time – we have been willing to downsize for the past four years.”

According to South Dublin County Council, tenants “must be a resident in the leased premises for a minimum of two years and must have complied with the terms of the tenancy” in order to be included on the transfer list.

These terms include a clear rental account, no record of anti-social behaviour and the house must be in good order and a in a condition fit for re-letting.

In accordance with the council’s Allocation Scheme, applications for the transfer list are accepted under certain criteria, including “exceptional medical/compassionate grounds” and “Older Persons (aged 55 or over) downsizing accommodation.”

The Allocation Scheme also states that “in the case of emergency or exceptional medical/compassionate grounds, the council may forgo any or all of the above conditions in granting a transfer to alternative accommodation”.

“The house is in perfect condition, and nothing needs to be done to it,” said Carmel.

“We don’t depend on the council for things such as if the toilet is broken and everything that has been done has come out of our pocket – we do everything ourselves.

“I am living in fear of the cancer taking me before South Dublin County Council sit up and listen and take my situation seriously.”

The Echo contacted South Dublin County Council for a comment, but it was not received in time for print.