Renewed appeal for action over Mayo's 'housing emergency'

New rents in Mayo have increased by an average of 18.5% this year, a TD has revealed.

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh said over the past two years, she have raised the need to expand rent pressure zones in Mayo and particularly so in Westport.

She stated: "On top of this, Mayo is left out of the affordable housing scheme.

"The Minister for Housing justifies this by claiming that Mayo does not have an affordability issue, but people are being pushed into poverty and homelessness.

"The minister has told the people in Mayo on several occasions that this is no emergency.

"A few months ago, I pleaded with him to extend the existing housing policy. Imagine one's rent going from €970 to €1,650 per month, as happened in Westport."

Deputy Conway-Walsh also highlighted the fact that pyrite-hit homeowners are in despair about what is ahead of them with rebuilding and finding alternative accommodation - with no houses to rent when they want to move.

She asked: "Will the minister give money to Mayo County Council to build modular homes in Westport to allow people to leave their homes, on a temporary basis, so that their homes can be rebuilt?

"In addition, will they be able to rent from people they know, not necessarily landlords because there are none in Westport, so that they can move out of their houses?

"I speak on behalf of people in Mayo who are living in social houses impacted by pyrite.

"They are watching the houses fall down around them, while other such houses are vacant. They need the money to get those houses fixed or rebuilt.

"Anyone who thinks there is not a housing emergency should come to Mayo and talk to the people," the Erris-based representative added.