Dillon calls for Mayo County Council accountability to tackle rising dereliction rates
Mayo continues to sit significantly above the national average when it comes to vacancy and dereliction, according to the latest Geodirectory report and Minister of State Alan Dillon has called for urgent action from Mayo County Council to tackle the problem.
New figures show that Mayo has a 10.6% vacancy rate, compared to a national average of 3.7%, while the county also records 14.1% derelict address points, placing it as the worst county nationally.
Minister Dillon described the situation as “simply not good enough” and confirmed he has asked senior management in Mayo County Council to bring forward a detailed action plan.
“The time for half measures is over; we need faster progress, stronger drive, and clear accountability,” he said.
The Castlebar-based TD acknowledged that Government supports are having an impact, pointing to the 740 applications received in Mayo under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant since its launch in 2022. Of these, 496 approvals and 116 grants have been issued, delivering more than €6 million to property owners.
Further measures, such as SEAI energy efficiency grants, the Repair and Leasing Scheme, and a €2 million allocation under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), are also contributing to progress. That URDF support is expected to bring 58 properties back into use, delivering an estimated 124 residential units.
“These are welcome steps, but money must be deployed quickly and strategically if we are to bring real life back into our towns,” Minister Dillon stressed.
He singled out Ellison Street in Castlebar, James Street in Claremorris, and Main Street in Ballinrobe as examples where dereliction “has gone on far too long”.
At present, Mayo has 283 sites listed on the official derelict register, a figure that he said cannot be tolerated while families need homes.
Presently, 206 people are in homeless accomodation in this Mayo, including 54 children.
“In some cases, council-owned properties sit boarded up for years with little progress. That is not acceptable,” he added.
Minister Dillon has also called for the publication of Mayo County Council’s interdepartmental working group report on derelict sites, insisting that “full transparency and clear actions” are required.
He is urging more support for the county’s Vacant Homes Officer and Town Regeneration Officer, better data collection, and the fast-tracking of refurbishment projects.
He said exempted planning and streamlined building rules would be vital to bring over-the-shop accommodation and vacant commercial units back into use.
“And where owners refuse to act, the Compulsory Purchase Order process must be used quickly and decisively,” he insisted.
“Ultimately, this is about housing output and delivery. It is about getting more homes into supply quickly, breathing life back into our towns and villages such as Castlebar, Ballina, Westport, Claremorris, and Ballinrobe.
Every vacant property turned into a home is a win for Mayo, and every day lost is a missed opportunity.”