Donegal County Council is finding it hard to get contractors to do maintenance work on houses.
That’s because there are other bigger contracts available at present as well as higher pay for trades people elsewhere.
The issue was highlighted during a municipal district meeting of the council yesterday in Donegal Town.
The area manager for housing and corporate services told the municipal district meeting that there is ‘a big lack’ of contractors who are undertaking maintenance work for the council.
Bridie McBrearty says the council is now finding it difficult to get contractors because there are other bigger contracts, such as the HSE.
It has led to a significant increase in cost in carrying out work on vacant housing stock.
She adds that some trades people were earning €19 an hour in Dublin.
She says if anyone knows of contractors who are available, the council would like to hear from them.
She also says the council would like to keep the work as local as possible, keeping within procurement guidelines.
