Damp and mould on the walls of sub-standard rented “hovels” is resulting in children getting severe chest illnesses. But the number of inspections of rented accommodation has fallen by almost half during the pandemic. As a result, councils are trialing “virtual inspections”, where video evidence has to be provided of standards being met. There are all sorts of public health issues arising from that, with children presenting with severe respiratory illnesses as a result of living in substandard accommodation,” he said. Junior housing minister Peter Burke said the funding to councils for inspections had quadrupled over the last four years.

Source: Irish Independent May 27, 2021 11:03 UTC