Vacant homes scheme proving popular in Mayo

THE Croí Conaithe scheme, where funding is available to renovate vacant or derelict properties, is proving popular in Mayo.

To date, Mayo County Council has received 138 applications, with 58 approved. A further 73 are being processed, with grants of up to €70,000 available, as well as SEAI grants.

Director of services for housing, Tom Gilligan, said the council wants as many people as possible to apply as the scheme presents a great opportunity for home ownership.

Water connection fees are proving a stumbling block for rural builds, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne highlighted.

The government has decided that where new builds connect with Irish Water there will be no charge. However, it doesn't cover group water schemes, and they need to be included, he said.

There is a big fee to connect where a vacant house has been disconnected, he added.

He knew of one man looking to connect to a local group scheme and the fee was €6,000.

Mayo County Council's housing committee has agreed to write to the Department of Housing about this issue.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Patsy O'Brien said he couldn't see why it wouldn't apply to country areas, same as how Croí Conaithe started in urban areas and was extended to rural areas.