€3.5 million spend on emergency accommodation in Mayo since 2020

THE cost of providing private emergency accommodation in Mayo for the five years 2020-24 is €3,490,633.

The figure was revealed following a motion by Independent Councillor Mark Duffy querying the cost to the council.

The response, he said, was telling as to the total failure on the provision of housing in the county.

Councillor Duffy said he asked the question to try and understand the financial implications as there are so many vacant council homes, which are not being turned around as quickly as they should.

If one found themselves homeless in Ballina the nearest emergency accommodation was in Ballinrobe, yet there are vacant properties in the town.

There should be a rolling fund for simple repairs, instead of having to go begging to the department and then going through a tendering process.

It was a poor reflection on operations, he commented, and he wanted to see a system that is fit for purpose and a commitment on turnaround times for vacant properties.

The lack of repairs on council properties also irked Councillor Patsy O’Brien who described Mayo County Council as being ‘the worst landlord’.

You couldn’t get as much as a latch to put on a window. He knew of a solid range in place for 25 year and can’t be replaced.

A planned maintenance programme is needed for council housing stock, he stated.