Sir, – It is very concerning that none of the election candidates seem to be mentioning new measures to encourage renovation of derelict properties to help address the housing crisis. Derelict properties number at least 100,000 (“Number of vacant and derelict homes brought back into use for social housing fell last year”, News, May 21st). The existing incentives are not working. – Yours, etc,
LAURA CULLEN,
Mornington,
Co Meath.
Grá ar an Trá: What is the point of Gráinne Seoige in this incoherent pudding of a series?
Ireland is emerging from winter, but maybe hold off mowing your lawn for now
What’s a phage and why might your body be hosting thousands of them?
Author Torrey Peters: ‘Admitting to any sexual aspect to a trans identity can be politically dangerous. But I refuse to be silenced by bigots’
Sir, – Ivana Bacik writes about Labour’s ambitious plans to solve the housing crisis (Letters, November 20th). All the political parties have ambitious plans.
They can be as ambitious as they like, but where will they get the timber needed which will form a crucial part of the infrastructure of future houses? The afforestation programme has all but collapsed in the last few years.
This year will only see a maximum of 1,800 hectares planted, whereas the programme needs to be 15,000 hectares annually to satisfy both timber and environmental requirements. – Yours, etc,
GILL McCARTHY,
Shillelagh,
Co Wicklow.
