Use CPO to tackle dereliction in Mayo - Barrett

WITH 217 people registered as homeless in Mayo - 69 of them children - a public representative wants to know why the council isn't using its CPO powers to bring derelict properties back into use.

In April, three new properties were added to the derelict sites register and two were removed. Last month, two properties were the subject of CPO (compulsory purchase order).

Commenting on the figures, Councillor Harry Barrett, who has asked that a derelict sites officer be appointed in each municipal district, said this doesn't reflect where we need to be going in terms of dereliction.

“That is business as usual and it is not good enough,” he told a meeting of Mayo County Council.

The level of interaction with those who are holding on to derelict properties is unacceptable, he said.

There were just two CPOs. “Why are we not using our powers of CPO,” he asked.

He wants to see 'major action' as the current level isn't good enough at a time of rising homelessness.