Westmeath County Council dealing with over 100 eviction notices

Westmeath County Council is currently dealing with 107 validated Notices to Quit, or eviction notes, the council’s Director of Housing has confirmed.

Ambrose Clarke told a recent meeting of the council that there were actually 154 notices with the council, but not all had yet been validated.

Cllr Ken Glynn said that, when people receive notices to quit, they are advised to seek alternative accommodation and are also referred towards Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) supports.

However, he said HAP rates were significantly out of line with current rents, and some people were being asked to find between €1,000 and €1,200 in rent even with HAP support.

Mr Clarke said the Government was conducting a national review of HAP, which was expected to feed into the national Budget process for 2027.