Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Serving Cork for 120 years
End the taboo surrounding fertility See
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Edition No: 36499
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Mahon man to sing for Queen Page 6
Rent hike nightmare Prices hit €1,600 as landlords fear cap
Cutting school costs CORK parents are hopeful that allowing generic brand clothing and banning one-use workbooks will put a dent in the back-toschool costs faced by families each September, writes Audrey Ellard Walsh. Minister Richard Bruton has announced the publication of a circular designed to reduce school costs. Schools will be required to ensure that all elements of a school uniform can be purchased from various stores to increase competition and that only iron-on or sew-on crests should be used. ■ See Page 3.
■ Ellie O’Byrne
LANDLORDS in parts of Cork that are outside the Government’s rent pressure zones are hiking up prices because they’re fearful that caps will be extended to new areas, according to housing charity Threshold.
Skehard Road plans PLANS to revamp Skehard Road in a bid to ease traffic problems in Mahon are to come before city councillors today, writes Kevin O’Neill. The ambitious plans aim to improve the flow of traffic on one of the city’s busiest roads, adding improved infrstructure for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as motorists. Designs went on display last summer, with city planners now set to present a report on the process to elected members with a view to advancing the scheme to construction before the end of the year. ■ See Page 2.
Ellie O’Byrne fears she may be forced out of the market by spiralling rent prices.
WEATHER
Picture: Dan Linehan
Rents for standard three-bed semi-detached homes near schools in the city have reached a breathtaking €1,400 to €1,600 per month. Cork-based manager of Threshold, Niall Horgan, said they are witnessing a “domino effect” out into the county, as landlords fearful of a Government cap being applied jump the gun and hike up their asking price. He said rents in county towns are catching up with rents closer to the city, creating a nightmare scenario for house-hunters like myself seeking an affordable place to live. “It’s not fair for rents in towns like Youghal to be comparable to city rents,” Mr Horgan said, “but that’s what is happening. Families are being pushed out to the satellite towns”. My family and I have first-hand experience of the frustrations of trying to find a home. We’d like to stay close to school, work, friends, and family, but with prices as they currently stand, we may be forced out. ■ See Pages 22 & 23.
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