Vacant grant payment delays ‘beyond a joke’ - Mayo councillors

Councillors have launched a scathing critique of the delays facing applicants to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and other housing schemes, describing the situation as 'beyond a joke'.

Fine Gael's Donna Sheridan highlighted the case of a local resident who completed works in March and is still waiting for payment despite completing the necessary works.

The Croí Conaithe grant offers €50,000 for the renovation of a vacant property and a €20,000 derelict top-up.

“They’ve been waiting months to get their money and now 16 weeks after finishing the work, they’re still waiting for the grant to be paid out,” she said.

“They’ve paid up to €2,000 in interest, and the only response they’ve received is a letter saying the vacant homes team can’t even provide a timeline.”

Councillor Sheridan added that this is not an isolated incident and blamed staffing issues for the delays, while she didn’t want to condemn those working tirelessly in central housing offices in Swinford.

“How can we expect to tackle the vacant homes issue when people are treated like this?”

Councillor Cyril Burke echoed the concerns, saying the same backlog is affecting the Repair and Lease Scheme, where property owners are also left in limbo.

“There’s no indication of how long inspections should take,” he said.

“Is there even a statutory timeframe? People are waiting months.”

‘A STAFFING ISSUE’

Councillor Sheridan responded that she had raised the issue directly with Mayo County Council’s director of housing, Tom Gilligan, who confirmed that the expected timeline for inspections was six to eight weeks, a target that she said is not currently being met.

“The reality is this is a staffing issue,” she said.

“Back in March, we were told there was a 14-week backlog.

“The response from central housing is that they’re ‘trying to find their way through it’ and have requested help.”

“It just shows housing is not a priority for the council,” councillor Michael Kilcoyne said bluntly.

Councillor Burke countered that the Minister for Housing has declared it a national priority and has written to every CEO in the country urging action.

“Well, until he calls them in and tells them it needs to be done, or they’re out, then it isn’t a real priority,” Councillor Kilcoyne shot back.

Councillor Sheridan described the case of her constituent as unacceptable.

“They’re carrying a €70,000 loan at up to 7% interest. It’s eating into the grant and they’re getting no answers. It’s beyond a joke now,” she said.