Snag preventing vacant homes being made habitable

NEW figures published today have revealed that there are 145 vacant properties owned by Mayo County Council which could be used for people on the housing list.

Some of these properties require refurbishment to make them habitable.

However, the maximum sum available from the Department of the Environment to bring a house to an acceptable standard is €30,000, a situation that is contributing to them being left vacant.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly is due to bring his long awaited plan for dealing with the supply of social housing to the cabinet tomorrow.