Call for explanation why 69 Mayo council houses are lying vacant

A former Castlebar elected representative wants Mayo County Council to explain why 69 council houses are lying vacant in the middle of a housing crisis.

In a post on his Facebook page, Harry Barrett is also seeking an explanation why are there over 300 derelict homes in the county left untouched by the Derelict Sites Act 1990?

He continued: "Why has only one such property been compulsory purchased in Castlebar in the last year?

"And why have Mayo County Council, FG and FF stayed away from building council houses over the last 30 years?

"These are some of the questions I would like answered in the local media.

"Local councillors should ask the big questions of their party in government now. Locals and war traumatised refugees need these houses badly.

"So let me spell it out. If you are a FG councillor, please contact the FG Minister for Finance and ask him to provide more money to build proper council houses and money to refurbish the massive stock of derelict and vacant homes here in County Mayo.

"If you are a FF councillor please contact the FF minister for housing, Darragh O'Brien, and ask him to do likewise.

"The 2,700 people in Mayo on the housing waiting list will thank you for it, so too will the 122 here, who are homeless," added the former town councillor.