Homeless policy in Mayo should be one person per room

MAYO County Council is paying an average of €59.85 per person to hotel owners and people who are providing private emergency accommodation for homeless people in the county.

The costs were confirmed to Councillor Michael Loftus, who asked for a breakdown and was also told there is a person in place to monitor accommodation facilities across the various locations in the county.

Councillor Loftus has concerns that there should be a one person per room policy, saying it was unfair that people would have to share.

People have to be shown respect, not lumped into a building, he stated.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne revealed he has received complaints about two people being put into rooms who are strangers.

Adding up the costs involved, Councillor Loftus felt the State would get far better value if it purchased a property.

He cited one case with 26 people accommodated, in eight rooms, which amounted to €500,000.

It was profiteering, he felt, and he wanted to know if it's being monitored.

Councillor Loftus also voiced concern about additional bedrooms being added at a property.

In respect of the figure of 26 given above, he was told 16 people are accommodated at the facility cited.