Tipperary councillors raise concerns over approved housing bodies

Councillors at last month’s sitting of Tipperary County Council raised concerns about how approved housing bodies use council homes.

The issue was first raised by Cllr Michael Fitzgerald, who said the Peter McVerry Trust left a house in Bansha empty for an extended period of time, despite a need in the area.

He said he is concerned about the governance of the organisation and the management of state funds.

In support of his claims, Cllr Fitzgerald cited a letter by the trust’s chief executive when he resigned.

“It’s not being run properly, and there are questions not being answered, finanicial questions and I want to see that house occupied because people are asking,” said Cllr Fitzgerald.

He said he had full confidence in the council to accommodate the county’s homeless.

SUPPORT

Cllr Fitzgerald was supported by several of his colleagues who said they were shocked to hear of houses left empty.

Thurles councillor Seamus Hanafin said that the council should be maintaining its own stock.

He said that housing organisations do not necessarily have the same ‘priorities’ as the council who have to “look at it in the round.”

Cllr David Dunne said councils should not be relying on housing associations to look after people.

Cllr John Crosse said he was ‘gobsmacked’ at what he had heard.

But also said he has always had a good relationship with housing organisations.

Cllr Mairin McGrath said there was no reason a house should be left empty when families need them.

REFUSAL

Cllr McGrath also raised concerns about the refusal of some bodies to attend public and council meetings.

She said Focus Ireland had recently declined an invitation to attend a community safety meeting despite the sitting being held in private.

Cllr McGrath said that they had been invited to the meeting to discuss issues of anti-social behaviour.

“In a private meeting that they refused to come is unacceptable,” said Cllr McGrath.

NO GIVEAWAYS

Director of Services for the council’s housing section, Sinead Carr said they do not ‘give away’ houses to anyone, including approved housing bodies.

She said that some units are allocated for clients who need specific services. In those cases, agreements are drawn up with other agencies like Novas or the Peter McVerry Trust.

“If I had the option, I would prefer to have those staff myself. But the fact is we don’t,” said Ms Carr.

She said her department shares the ‘blame’ for the issue in Bansha.

She said the house was part of the Own Front Door scheme, and the Peter McVerry trust were responsible for “kitting it out.”

She said that due to their financial situation and summer staff issues at the council, the vacancy was not filled, but a family is now moving in. She called the staff at the trust ‘top class’ and said they do not have any issue with them.

“Without the likes of Focus or PMVT and others, we would find it very difficult to manage what are becoming more difficult and challenging clients that have complex issues,” said Ms Carr.