Donegal's remote working strategy is great, but where will people live?

A campaign to encourage people to come and live in Donegal and to work remotely is all well and good, but where are they going to live?

That is the concern that was voiced by Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Ind) at the March meeting of the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal. 

Cllr Kennedy stressed that she did not want to be negative about the campaign which is designed to breathe new life into remote communities. Indeed, the Killybegs councillor played a pivotal role in the campaign to secure coverage for broadband blackspots in south west Donegal. 

But there is no denying that housing shortage is a major issue in the county at present, with the councillor earlier in the meeting saying that she had spoken to families in desperate need of housing. 

Cllr Kennedy raised the question as to whether it was an issue that could be addressed through Donegal County Council’s Planning department. 

“Donegal County Council is welcoming people to come and do remote working but there is no place for them to live,” she said.

“I have heard from someone looking about getting planning permission in the area and they are not from the area. 

“Part of their process was that they are remote working. 

“Is it a planning policy that we have to change, that if someone is looking at remote working they will get planning permission?” she asked.

Remote Working Strategy

In June 2021, Donegal County Council became the first local authority in Ireland to launch a Remote Working for Business strategy.

It came at a time - after almost a year and a half of Covid-19 restrictions - when many people and businesses had been forced to adapt to remote working. The aim of the strategy was to see the county make the most of the benefits that growth in remote working were bringing to Donegal.

Chief Executive of Donegal County Council John McLaughlin said at the time: “This strategy is aligned with the various programmes of activity currently being led by the council, including initiatives such as Donegal Digital, the ambitious town and village regeneration programme, assistance with the rollout of the National Broadband Programme (NBP), development of a range of co-working spaces and other economic development activity as well as key infrastructural projects such as the development of the road network, water and waste water provision, planning development and control, housing provision, environmental activity and the provision of outdoor recreational facilities.   

“As we continue with the transition to reopening our communities and economy indications strongly suggest that flexible working solutions, including remote working, will continue to feature strongly as a requirement of not only employees but of employers and this offers opportunities for places like Donegal. With a superb quality of life, a low cost of living, open spaces, excellent connectivity, a talented workforce and a range of digital working hubs, Donegal is well placed to reap the benefits of remote working in an increasingly digitalised world.”

However, in the three years since the strategy was launched there has been an increasing demand for housing. And while construction of a number of housing developments is underway around the county, there is still a housing crisis in Donegal. This is exacerbated by construction staff shortages, the rising cost of construction, the rebuilding of existing homes affected by mica, and issues with the water and waste systems. These factors are presenting a major challenge for those hoping to relocate to the county.