McGuinness slams 600k cut to Council’s housing budget

Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has slammed a cut of at least €600,000 to the Council’s Housing Department in the 2020 Budget. 

McGuinness said: 

“The Council took in €600,000 extra in rents in 2019 and the same amount has been budgeted for next year, but this money is being cut from the housing budget in order to offset the Government’s massive €14.5 million cut for Waterford. 

“In the midst of a housing and homelessness crisis it beggars belief that money would be taken from our Housing Department. This is money that could be allocated to adaption grants for people with disabilities, housing maintenance, fitting out boarded up and vacant houses for families etc. 

“Waterford is down €14.5 million due to a cut imposed by the confidence and supply Government. Meanwhile Cork and Galway are getting windfalls of a similar amount and Kilkenny will gain €4.5 million. 

“Sinn Féin councillors were elected with a clear mandate to stand up for the people of Waterford and to oppose cuts from Government. We are the only party that didn’t roll over and accept this massive cut that will push spending on housing back to austerity levels.”