Councillors add fuel to social-mix housing debate

ENNIS town councillors are to meet with staff of the town council’s housing department and the council executive once a year to discuss issues relating to the housing waiting list.

This suggestion was made by Councillor Peter Considine at this week’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council. The suggestion followed a heated discussion by members regarding the social mix in local authority housing estates and the allocation of houses.
Councillors were discussing housing issues in Ennis arising from a new scheme of letting priorities put forward by council officials.
The scheme sets out the basis for prioritising the allocation of all town council rented dwellings to persons whose need for accommodation has been established and the basis for prioritising transfer applications from existing town council tenants.
The new scheme identifies eligibility criteria for tenants of local authority houses.
Councillor Brian Meaney said that he welcomed the scheme but felt that one change was necessary.
“The application of the scheme should not compromise the need to provide a positive social mix in local authority housing estates. I think we need to have such a condition,” he said.
Frankie Neylon said that he had a problem with such a condition. “I haven’t seen a problem with the social mix in any of our estates,” he added but Councillor Meaney said that Councillor Neylon had mentioned it before.
Councillor Neylon replied, “They don’t want to be called white if they’re not white. There is no question of people qualifying if they’re not eligible, regardless of the colour of their skin.” Councillor Meaney said that the intent of his proposal had nothing to do with what Councillor Neylon was referring to.
Councillor Johnny Flynn said that there had been a lot of problems in recent years regarding overcrowding in housing estates.
“In terms of the amount of time that people are on the housing waiting list, I understand that some people are 15 years or more on the list.”
Councillor Neylon replied, “There is no-one homeless. There is a scheme for everyone. Priorities come and go.”
Councillor Michael Guilfoyle said that not all tenants of local authority houses are difficult. “Ninety-seven or 98% of tenants are reliable and no problem. A lot of the issues seem to be regarding health board tenants. They are put in a house and then wipe their hands of them,” he added.
Councillor Considine then suggested that councillors have a meeting every so often regarding the housing waiting list and allocations. “Councillors often have information regarding certain people and issues. I propose that councillors meet with housing staff and the council executive once a year to look at the housing list and have a general discussion.”
This proposal was supported by other councillors and is to be organised in the coming months.
Councillor Meaney added, “As councillors, we were contacted recently regarding a proposed housing allocation. What became clear was that the proposed allocation was not appropriate and consultation with councillors in that case was crucial.”
In addition, Councillor Brennan suggested that the council communicate with the HSE regarding housing matters. “There are problems coming up in estates due to that scheme too. I know several estates where they are issues. I’d like to see what guidelines they have laid down.”