Need for affordable housing in east and south Mayo highlighted

THE need for an affordable housing scheme in the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District has been raised in the Dáil.

Deputy Paul Lawless is concerned that the east and south of the county are being left behind.

Speaking on a motion on housing in the Dáil, he said there has been zero affordable housing delivered in the Mayo constituency.

Only Westport has got five units and they came after councillors fought for them.

“In my area, the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District, the people are not even considered for affordable housing,” stated Deputy Lawless.

“Will the Minister of State please consider an affordable housing scheme for the Claremorris-Swinford municipal area?" he asked.

“There is a cohort who do not qualify for social housing but cannot afford property on the open market. They need an opportunity to get on the affordable housing scheme.

“The lack of a scheme for this area of Mayo will drive the concentration of capital and energy in the construction sector to other areas of the county, leaving the east and south of Mayo behind.”