Mayo excluded from social housing income limit increase

COUNCILLORS are unhappy after Mayo was omitted from a change to income limits that would see more people qualify for social housing.

Five counties have benefitted from an increased threshold, which in Galway is now €30,000 for a single person. Meanwhile, here in Mayo, if you earn more than €25,000 you won't qualify.

The unfairness of the situation was highlighted at a meeting of Mayo County Council's housing strategic policy committee (SPC) on Friday.

“You can be on the housing list in Galway but you will not be eligible to be on the list in Mayo,” Councillor Michael Kilcoyne set out.

“That is an appalling situation. It is totally unfair.

“What is the difference between Clonbur and Cong or Ballindine and Milltown?”

Galway city also has the benefit of rent controls, whereas in Mayo you could send out a notice hiking up the rent. He had seen one case in recent days where a rent has been doubled.

Committee cathaoirleach Councillor Patsy O'Brien agreed that Mayo should not have been excluded from the increased income limits.

It was agreed that the SPC would write to the department to express their disappointment and asking that the threshold here be increased.