Call For Council To Explain Why It Failed To Use Money For Housing

Fine Gael is calling on Cork County Council to explain why it has not used all of its funding allocated for housing.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central, Jerry Buttimer, said between 2011 and 2014, the Government allocated €30 million to the City Council but not all of it was used.

Deputy Buttimer said: "The figures in this regard are indisputable:

• €1 million for housing adaptation grants for older people and persons with a disability was not used


• €2 million for housing construction and acquisitions was left unused

• €3 million for energy efficiency measures was not drawn down

"There is a huge contrast between the two Cork local authorities in this regard. Over the same four-year period, the County Council drew down €6 million more than it was allocated. An additional €2.3 million was given for housing adaptations and an extra €500,000 for the purpose of putting vacant units back in use."

Deputy Buttimer has contacted the CEOs of both councils about their use of the money.

He concluded: "The people on the housing list in Cork deserve better than to see moneys available being returned to central government. They deserve better than seeing the money not being used."

(CD/LM)