You’ve probably noticed we have an issue in this country with houses, or the lack of them, I should say.

It’s particularly difficult for those in the younger age group who are looking to move out of the family home and set up their own place. But they’re not the only ones affected.

Lots of people with families living in small houses are looking for bigger houses, and many people in the older age group are looking to downsize to smaller houses, but moving anywhere at the moment is not easy.

Not only is there a housing shortage, but there’s also a shortage of tradesmen to build them or extend them, because so many have emigrated to Australia and elsewhere for a better life.

They’re busy building houses in other countries, and when they get sick, they are looked after by Irish nurses and doctors because so many of them have emigrated as well.

Irish people have left in their droves for a variety of reasons, such as improved pay and conditions and better quality of life. Hard to blame them.

Now, the Irish Government wants them to come home to build houses and look after the sick here - but they’re not budging.

And why would they? They’re better off where they are with a quality of life they could only dream of here.

And, even if they wanted to come home, they couldn’,t unless they’d be prepared to move back in with their parents.........

© Evening Echo