Isolation crisis among Clare’s elderly worsens amid lack of suitable housing

As research shows that people aged over 65 will make up a quarter of Ireland’s population by 2050, Clare councillors have warned of an urgent need to address growing isolation among older residents living alone.

In a joint motion, councillors Joe Garrihy, Tony Mulcahy and John Crowe called on the council to prioritise the development of housing solutions for the aging  population in County Clare, with a specific focus on those living alone in isolated rural areas.

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Fine Gael councillor Joe Garrihy stated the motion highlights a very specific and urgent need for housing solutions for older people, particularly in rural areas.

Citing a pre-feasibility study he worked on in North Clare during 2020, he noted that more than 1,300 people aged 65 and over were living alone or in two-person households in isolated rural locations.

Cllr Garrihy welcomed efforts to include age-friendly housing in new developments but warned that stepped accommodation remains inaccessible because people must both qualify through the housing list and be willing to relocate.

He described the situation as complex and requiring significant resources and an “emergency response”, he said creative solutions are needed to activate serviced sites near towns and villages where supports and social infrastructure are more accessible.

Cllr Tony Mulcahy said he approached the issue from both an aging and disability perspective, noting that the need for age-appropriate housing is growing rapidly in towns across Clare.

He referenced his own road in Shannon, where “out of about 40 houses, only one or two still have the original residents living there.” He said this illustrates how many older people are now living alone in homes that no longer suit their needs.

Cllr Mulcahy said there is a clear demand for “step-down”, secure, gated communities with specially adapted bungalows that would allow older people to live independently while freeing up larger family homes for those who need them, adding that similar schemes already operate successfully in other parts of the country, such as Stradbally.

He also highlighted the urgent need to expand disability-friendly housing, suggesting small clusters of four to six units should be allocated in larger housing developments, for people with intellectual or physical disabilities, in partnership with agencies such as Banner Housing and the Brothers of Charity.

Councillor John Crowe said he was “delighted to be associated with the motion,” noting he has been advocating for similar ideas for several years.

He spoke about the value of developing retirement villages in both small and larger communities, saying such schemes would allow older people living in rural areas to move into settlements where they could access services and “walk to the local shops.”

He expressed that the council should “create this opportunity going forward” and suggested that when the 20% allocation returns to local authorities, they should examine whether units for older residents could be incorporated into future housing developments.

Cllr Crowe emphasised the “retirement village concept” is something the council should actively consider.

Cllr Ian Lynch supported the motion, highlighting how gaps in local services are leaving older residents isolated, he described a case where people living in private homes are struggling, including “one woman who is 93 years of age” who stopped driving because she no longer felt safe and is now “completely isolated,” despite living close to the town.

He also referenced “another man in a four-bedroom house adapted for disabilities” who wants to downsize and make the larger home available to the council, but said current Government policy prevents this.

Cllr Lynch suggested that recent funding for the purchase of second-hand properties could allow the council to buy such homes, “put a family into the four-bedroom houses” and provide smaller accommodation for older residents who want it.

He stressed that the issue must be prioritised over the next two years, saying the council needs to plan properly for older people in both rural and urban areas.

While larger towns like Ennis have taxis and transport options, he noted “there isn’t a single taxi rank in Kilrush, no public bus service,” adding that older residents have “contributed their entire life to society, so the least we can do is make it a little bit easier for them when they get older.”

Councillor Michael Begley supported the motion and said that, as Cllrs Crowe and Lynch had outlined, new housing developments of 30–50 units should include small clusters of four to six retirement or “step-down” homes.

He noted that many older people living alone in large family houses would gladly move into a village setting if suitable options existed.

However, developers “cannot break even” on such units, and the council has no mechanism to require them through planning, he said Government support is needed and recommended sending the motion, or part of it to the relevant department.

Fianna Fáil councillor Tom O'Callaghan also supported noting "we do have a housing crisis", and how when people get older they become much more dependent on the state pension.

He expressed his "love" for the concept of having a cluster of smaller retirement homes in new housing developments for those that need these facilities but acknowledged it will be a "a big transition for them to leave their homes."

Cllr Pat Hayes noted that if the council is too look at the development of these small clusters in the future, they must look at case studies of such developments in Kilmaley and Tulla as the "model is already there".

Both councillors Pat Daly and Mary Howard, expressed how many elderly living on their own, would like to be living in villages and towns where facilities such as a doctors office and church are virtually "next door" to them.

In a written reply, senior engineer Adrian Headd stated that Clare County Council is accelerating housing delivery, noting that it is one of their “strategic priorities.”  

He outlined how the council has created a new Housing Delivery, Infrastructure Provision and Land Activation Directorate, which includes a dedicated Housing Activation Unit. 

Mr Headd said the council is delivering a mix of housing types under the national Housing for All plan, including an average of 47 age-friendly or accessible units per year over the past three years, adding that the council is continuing to develop new Group Homes designed with accessibility and on-site supports. 

He highlighted the progress that is being made to upgrade the existing housing stock, saying the council’s Asset Management System now allows them to identify homes suitable for adaptation or retrofitting.

Since the start of the national Energy Retrofit Programme, Clare County Council has completed 181 full energy retrofits, with contracts awarded to upgrade another 34 homes in the coming months.

Mr Headd added that the council continues to engage in the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, which supports older adults to live independently by linking them with housing, health, and social services.

He also referenced the Clare Age Friendly Strategy 2024–2030, launched by the Clare Older Persons Council, which includes a key housing objective: “Work to support housing needs among Clare’s older persons, ensuring age friendly appropriate housing options.” He said the council is committed to delivering on these objectives in partnership with other agencies. 

Mr Headd acknowledged “the challenges in rural areas of Clare” and said the council will continue working closely with elected members, the Department of Housing, service providers, community groups and Approved Housing Bodies to meet the county’s needs.