Sligo rent increases are condemned

Local authority tenants in Co Sligo are facing rent increases of up to 100 per cent, it emerged yesterday. Furious councillors from all parties condemned the proposed increases which were before the estimates meeting of Sligo County Council.

Former mayor of Sligo Declan Bree (Labour) has already warned officials that they may face a rent strike if proposed increases of between 50 and 130 per cent are implemented in the borough area.

The rent increases in Sligo city and county are being proposed under the 2006 differential rent scheme which councillors say will have a devastating impact on those living on social welfare.

The estimates included a provision for rental income this year of €980,000, an increase of €150,000 on last year.

Fianna Fáil councillor Séamus Kilgannon said proposals to double rent in some cases "must be resisted".

Independent councillor Margaret Gormley asked whether there was going to be "any mercy" from officials for tenants facing such massive increases.

Cllr Deirdre Healy-McGowan (FF) said it was pointless for the Government to provide rental assistance for families if the county council was going to take it away again. The issue of the rent increases was referred to the next meeting of the housing sub-committee.

Proposed increases in the Sligo borough were also condemned.