In light of a reduction in capital spending in Budget 2016, and a lack of clarity on who is getting what nationally, Minister Alan Kellu is being called on to provide a full breakdown of funding. Stephen Donnelly, Social Democrat TD for Wicklow and East Carlow and Independent Councillor Jennifer Whitmore have called on the minister to provide a full breakdown of housing funding received by Wicklow and all other local authorities.
Speaking in Wicklow today, Donnelly stated, “I am calling on Minister for the Environment, Alan Kelly to provide a transparent account for what each local authority receives for housing. Wicklow has an on-going housing crisis that has spilled over into a homelessness issue. Rents have spiraled, the cost-of-living is causing huge stress for families, but supports remain low from central government.
“Wicklow County Council staff are doing their best, but they have been dealing with a hiring embargo, and with an annual reduction in funding from central government. We need to see the level of housing funding being provided per local authority, and if it’s being adjusted to recognise the higher cost of housing in Wicklow, compared to many areas.
“Wicklow people pay some of the highest rates of Local Property Tax due to the high property prices. However, in spite of clear promises made, and all of this money raised locally has been pulled back by Fine Gael/Labour, through reduced central government funding.”
