Editorial: Spiralling rents in Kilkenny are a red flag for workers

It’s alarming to see that market rents are now on average 13.8% higher in the final three months of 2023 than a year previously in Kilkenny.

The figures, available in the latest Daft.ie report, show the increase in Kilkenny is greater than in neighbouring South-East counties Waterford, Carlow, Tipperary and Wexford. The average listed rent here is now €1,467, up 46% from the level prevailing when the pandemic occurred.

Market rents in Leinster’s South-East counties rose 10.9% year-on-year. These ongoing increases in rents reflect very low availability, and it doesn’t seem to be changing in a hurry.

A cursory browse for Kilkenny rental properties on Daft.ie reveals a severe shortage. Yet, a search of the same area on AirBnB reveals a large number of available houses and apartments for short-let visitor stays, many of them in or close to the city centre. It would suggest there is less a shortage of accommodation, and more of an alternative use for what’s there.

With a growing population and hundreds more jobs set to come on stream in the coming months, where all the workers are going to live remains to be seen.

BETTER TOGETHER
The results of aworthwhile project were revealed in Kilkenny last week — a collaboration between a family resource centre, South East Technological University, and the South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force.

The project explored the impact of a new online peer support service for people in recovery in the South-East region. The service is open seven days per week and operates online, creating greater accessibility for those in need. Better Together’s volunteers provided over 100,000 hours of online peer support during Covid and is now providing an average of 25,000 hours a year online.

Among the findings were a decrease in incidents of relapse or self-harm, improved emotional or social connections, and reduced social stigma. Well done to everyone involved.