Cold and damp housing in both the social and private sector is causing an increase in respiratory problems in children in Derry, it has been claimed.
Emmet Doyle.
Emmet Doyle, SDLP election candidate for the Moor, said he was concerned about the health of children in the city after a “growing number” of residents across the city reported an increase in children’s breathing problems.
Mr Doyle has called on the Housing Executive and private landlords to ensure their properties were fit for children, and not to put every “damp” problem that was reported “down to condensation.”
Mr Doyle said: “I am genuinely quite concerned about the growing number of parents that are coming to me reporting that their child is experiencing respiratory problems and having to undertake courses of antibiotics due to damp or mould in their homes.
“Whilst I accept that there are a proportion of cases where condensation is the cause of problems, I have dealt with a marked increase in cases where the properties, both housing executive and private rentals, have serious leaks, bad insulation and general maintenance problem that lead to damp and mould.
“It is totally unacceptable in this day and age that young children are experiencing health problems because of the state of their homes, it could be something out of the Dickensian era. I have had calls from residents about wheezing, serious coughs and chest infections experienced by children as young as 2 years because of these treatable issues.
I am calling on the Housing Executive and private landlords, in particular, to address these problems sooner rather than later – we will not stand by and allow a child health problem as a result of housing problems in this city.”
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