‘Small amount of money’ allocated to house repairs
WHAT has been described as a ‘very small amount’ of money was provided for emergency repairs to council houses in recent weeks.
In the wake of reports of no funds in Louth County Council for any kind of repairs to council houses in Drogheda, officials revealed at the October meeting held in Drogheda that some funds have been made available, but it won’t cover many repairs.
‘I must stress it is a very small amount of money, and over the coming days some emergency repairs will be carried out,’ said the housing official.
‘I have a great sympathy for the tenants, and we will put together a plan for the most important cases, but you will not be happy with my decisions.’
461 requests for repairs on council properties were received as of August 31st, with only 52 being rectified.
This figure is up 100 from the same time last year.
Cllr Kevin Callan queried how this crisis was allowed to happen.
‘I must commend the housing section for the work they do, however the underlying issue should be examined,’ he said.
‘We have to seriously look at the budgetary process, and why it was not flagged last year just how serious it was.’
Cllr Paul Bell added that there was an ongoing problem with fully-paid up tenants not receiving repairs. ‘We are talking about basic needs to make a house habitable,’ he pointed out. ‘Some tenants are paying their rent and are living in intolerable conditions.’