Over 400 on housing list in Monksland, Ward claims

Some 23 housing units in Monksland should be ready for allocation in late summer, it emerged at the latest meeting of Roscommon County Council after Curraghboy-based Cllr Tony Ward claimed that there were over 400 people on the waiting list in what has been the fastest growing area of the county for many years. In response to a query from Cllr Ollie Moore during a discussion of new criteria for housing supports, Director of Services Kathleen Martin explained that the contractor is now back on site and they are hoping that they will be complete by the late summer. Monksland-based Cllr John Keogh observed that there are no houses in the Athlone area in long-term lease scheme, asking whether there have been any idea of the expressions of interest, be they developers or private individuals. Ms Martin replied that there were a number of expressions of interest from individuals but none from developers. Meanwhile, Cllr Tony Ward said he believed there were in excess of 400 people on the housing list in Monksland. Ms Martin explained under the new system if someone is earning more than €24,000 they have to provide their own rented accommodation and are not entitled to be on the social housing list subject to certain criteria.