Mayo appeal for one-bed apartments to be given red card

An appeal has been issued to Mayo County Council to give one-bedroom apartments the red card in their social housing policy.

The cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, said they are not a suitable form of accommodation for elderly people in particular.

"Because there is only one bedroom, people cannot come to stay with them overnight.

“That's a huge inconvenience and particularly so when an elderly person is ill,” he said.

"I know that we will be asked to give approval shortly for a scheme of eight one-bedroom units.

"I am not happy about it and will not be supporting it. I already asked that the design be revisited. The council should not be building one-bedroom units into the future."