More funding needed for council housing maintenance in Mayo

THE council needs to invest more in the maintenance, repair and painting of its housing stock.

The call came from Councillor Harry Barrett at the monthly Castlebar Municipal Sistrict meeting where he felt he couldn't support a works schedule unless figures were tweaked to find more money for maintenance.

He suggested that an extra €50,000 to €100,000 could be found and he questioned spend in other sectors of the district programme, such as roads (€10 million investment) or the funding allocated for Turlough House gardens (€220,000).

However, he was told the roads funding comes from TII and specific department grants and cannot be moved around, while the Turlough spend is recouped from the OPW. Similarly, money invested in the Lough Lannagh Holiday Village returns by way of income generated.

Municipal head Ann Moore said there has been an €80,000 increase in the budget for general repairs this year.

There is close to €700,000 available for maintenance, general repairs and casual vacancies, members were told, while tenants are responsible for minor items like painting.

Councillor Barrett insisted there has to be more money for general repairs and maintenance and he asked if savings can be made under other headings, where they have discretion, that this extra funding be directed to this.

They have a major issue with their housing stock that needs extra finance.

And when he asks for repairs he's told there's a funding shortfall.

Playground repairs was another sector he highlighted as needing increased investment.

The point was made by Councillor Michael Kilcoyne that council rents were reviewed last year and in many cases it increased. That money should be used to update these houses where necessary.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme