Warning letters from planning enforcement over Mayo accommodation centre
MAYO County Council has issued warning letters through the planning enforcement office in respect of a property in south Mayo that has been used to provide emergency accommodation.
The Railway Inn in Ballinrobe has been vacated, Councillor Michael Burke has confirmed.
Councillor Burke had previously called on the council to carry out building regulation inspections at the property, including planning compliance, fire certs, health and safety, standards of living conditions for tenants and any other compliance inspections that need to be adhered to.
Mayo Aontú TD Paul Lawless has criticised the use of unregulated premises for housing vulnerable people following the confirmation that Mayo County Council has issued warning letters to the owners of the Railway Inn.
It follows a ruling from An Bord Pleanála, which determined that the change of use from a hotel to a homeless hostel in Dublin’s Paramount Hotel required planning permission.
The board found that providing housing for homeless individuals falls under 'care' and constitutes a 'material change of use', meaning that such conversions cannot happen without proper planning approval.
“This situation is yet another example of the government’s complete lack of planning when it comes to supporting vulnerable people,” Deputy Lawless said.
“Emergency accommodation should be safe, properly regulated, and located in areas where there is the necessary infrastructure to support people in rebuilding their lives.”
His party was calling for immediate government action to ensure that all emergency accommodation is fully regulated, subject to planning laws, and placed in areas where people can realistically access the support they need.
“We need real solutions to homelessness, not quick-fix placements in unregulated buildings,” said Deputy Lawless. “The government must stop passing the buck and take responsibility for providing safe, structured and well-planned accommodation for those who need it most.”