Policy around emergency accommodation in Mayo questioned

COUNCIL policy around placing individuals released from prison with no fixed abode into emergency accommodation operated by private landlords has been questioned.

Councillor Deirdre Lawless of Aontú has requested Mayo County Council to conduct a full review of the continued use of private premises where no formal contract, service agreement or defined standards of care exist.

It should also examine if the budget presently allocated to these private arrangements could instead be directed towards professionally led service providers with the capacity to deliver structured rehabilitation supports, counselling services, and safeguarding protocols.

The purpose of the review, she said, is to ensure that individuals placed in emergency accommodation receive appropriate professional assistance, and that communities have confidence in the standards, oversight and safety of premises used for this purpose.

Support was forthcoming from elected colleagues when Councillor Lawless tabled a motion at the July meeting of Mayo County Council.

They needed to review the current practice and continued use of private premises where no contract exists that defines the care and standards in place, she said.

Directing funding into professionally led services would be better for everyone - the individuals availing of accommodation and the community, with wraparound services and proper structures for people who are vulnerable.

Seconding the motion, Councillor Patsy O'Brien agreed that putting people into towns and villages that don't have the necessary services was doing everyone an injustice.

It goes back to government, with a job to be done nationally on this, he added.

A list of approved homeless shelters and confirmation of the necessary permissions around planning and building regulations was requested by Councillor Peter Flynn. He also wanted to know who within the council signs off on who is allocated where.

The point was made by cathaoirleach Councillor John Caulfield that property owners are taking money and they have a responsibility.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme