No plans to change income threshold for social housing in Mayo

CONFIRMATION that there are no plans to increase the income threshold for social housing in Mayo has been met with disappointment.

That message is being sent back to the housing minister who is being told to raise the earnings allowed and to also have parity with the levels that apply in Galway county.

In Mayo, a single person applying for a home from the council must have an income below €30,000 to qualify. Jump the fence into neighbouring Galway and the limit is €35,000.

A couple with two children in Mayo cannot earn more than €33,000 if they are to qualify for a social house - work for minimum wage and you won't qualify.

Members of Mayo County Council's housing policy committee had sought a review on the threshold from the housing minister, with the response received back described as 'disappointing' by the cathaoirleach, Councillor Peter Flynn.

Nothing is going to change currently, he noted.

Councillor Harry Barrett said the band for a family of four needs to move up to €44,000, with a growing cohort of working poor.

And the discrepancy of having an extra allowance of €5,000 if you live in Galway county also needs to be addressed, Councillor Flynn said.

It was agreed that a letter is to go to the minister, and also Mayo's five TDs, outlining the pain and heartache this is causing.

And the minister will be asked to move Mayo to the higher band and to explain the rationale behind the different limits applying between it and its neighbouring county.

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