Councillor claims some auctioneers don’t want house tenants who are on support schemes
A Sligo councillor wants to know why some estate agents and auctioneers will not accept housing tenants who are on on the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme, known as HAP. The payment is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. HAP is to replace…
CSO housing figures released for Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim
The amount of housing available in Donegal has risen just very slightly in the past six years while it has fallen in Sligo and Leitrim. That’s according to CSO figures just released on housing in Ireland. They show that in all three counties, there are fewer vacant dwellings, more people…
Sligo councillors complain about plannning restrictions . . . but some relaxation coming
A number of Sligo councillors have hit out at what they see as excessive restrictions on people building homes in rural areas. The councillors aired their concerns at this week’s special council meeting to discuss the County Development Plan, which will cover the next six years. Some claimed, for example,…
Minister refutes Bree’s stance on resources for homelessness
The government minister with responsibility for housing has strongly disputed a Sligo councillor’s claim that not enough is being done to tackle homelessness. Independent Councillor Declan Bree told Housing and Urban Renewal Minister Damien English in Sligo yesterday that they have been hearing the government talking about its plan to…
Minister tells Sligo council it will get the housing staff it needs
A government minister has promised Sligo County Council that if it needs more staff in its housing department to deal with specific schemes or projects, they will be approved. Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal Damien English was in Sligo today to meet council officials and councillors. He heard high…
TDs asked to sanction housing referendum
TDs are being asked to sanction a referendum on enshrining the right to housing in our constitution. The joint initiative of the Peter McVerry Trust – the National Organisation of the Unemployed and Independent Donegal TD Thomas Pringle seeks to add a number of innate rights to our laws. It’s…
Donegal council finding it hard to get contractors
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…