Frustration at council house turnaround times in Mayo

THE length of time it's taking to bring council houses back into use once vacated is frustrating councillors.

If tenants lived for the next 10 or 15 years, nothing would be done with their homes. But if they passed away, they cannot be re-let without BER certs and other certs, Councillor Gerry Coyle highlighted at a municipal district meeting.

Where contractors tender to do works, they should be given a time in which to complete them, he said.

It's sad that it can take so long when there are so many people waiting for homes.

Councillor Chris Maxwell was concerned about two houses in the Louisburgh area, where there are families on the housing list, some in dire need. If they were private houses they'd be rented out again, he said, but these were sitting idle.

In response, he was told one needs new windows and doors and quotations have been sought from suppliers. The keys for the other property were only dropped back on January 16, with some minor internal works needed.

The point was made by Councillor Maxwell that homes up and down the country are being retrofitted while people live in them. Let people into homes and then do the windows and doors, he said.

We're in the middle of a housing crisis and things are too complicated, he complained.

If people are willing to go into a house, let the property out to them.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme