Roscommon Council brings life back to 44 houses – Naughten

In Environment, Infrastructure, Local Issues, News by Denis Naughten

In the last 12 months Roscommon County Council has brought new life back to 44 vacant houses across the County following an investment of €379,500 from the Department of Housing, according to local TD Denis Naughten.

“It is deeply frustrating looking at a vacant house falling further and further into disrepair because it also has an impact on neighbours and the whole community,” said the Chair of the Dáil’s Community & Rural Affairs Committee.

“This funding is provided as part of a programme for the refurbishment of vacant council houses that I approved as a member of the last Government, and it is great to see Roscommon County Council securing a significant level of those funds for homes throughout our county.

“Prior to my time in Government, a Council had to fund repairs from its own rental income which was completely insufficient to meet the number of vacant houses requiring significant refurbishment.

“Credit is due to the team in Roscommon County Council which secured an allocation of funding well in excess of the proportion of local authority housing in the county, which will mean that more houses can be refurbished.

“As part of my campaign to bring life back into more vacant houses I’m hoping this year will see changes to the Fair Deal Nursing Home Support Scheme which currently penalises older people who wish to rent out their vacant home,” concluded Denis Naughten.

ENDS.