John McDonagh, Labour local election candidate for Galway City Central Ward, has criticised the City Council for its lack of action in tackling the issue of unoccupied City Council housing properties in the city and its failure in making these properties available in a timely manner during a continuing housing crisis.
He said that there are many examples in the city of this lack of action by the City Council.
“While canvassing recently in Munster Avenue, residents brought to his attention one house that has been boarded up since 2016, eight years ago.
“In addition to this property falling into disrepair, the back garden is overgrown and potentially damaging the adjoining property. Despite numerous requests from the local residents association for action, nothing has changed. There are many other similar examples across the city. Even another house on Munster Avenue left vacant for two years.
“Is this property now also to lie vacant for another eight years,” asked Mr McDonagh. “In addition to the Government adequately funding and empowering the local authorities to tackle this issue, Galway City Council has an obligation to deal with the issue of vacant houses as a matter of urgency.
“It is outrageous that in the midst of a housing crisis thousands of homes across the country lie vacant and in some cases allowed to fall into dereliction,” he said.
McDonagh intends, if elected in the Central Ward of Galway City, to continue to campaign on this issue as every vacant or derelict property represents a missed opportunity to provide a safe and secure home for someone in need.
