Wexford people ‘walking away’ from vacant homes grant due to delays getting connected to ESB
Wexford PeopleProspective home owners are deciding not to pursue a grant scheme which provides up to €70,000 to renovate derelict houses due to ongoing issues with service providers. Under the Vacant Homes Grant, funding of €50,000 is provided to those wishing to renovate vacant properties, and up to €70,000 to those who want to renovate derelict properties.
However, some of those who have applied for the grant are opting to walk away because of delays getting connected to ESB.
“There’s issues around the scheme relating to infrastructure and connecting to services like ESB, it has been a complete and utter disaster,” said Councillor Bridín Murphy at the November meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD).
“People have paid for their connection and been told they’ll have to wait two months for it, during which time the clock is ticking, they’re getting so frustrated they’re considering walking away from the grant, deciding it’s not worth their while.
“It’s not the grant itself that’s the problem, it’s the service providers. People are being left in limbo, they can’t get contractors in because they don’t know when they’ll be connected up. If the biggest stumbling block to getting this grant is being created by a state body then it’s something the minister (for housing) should be able to address.”
Cllr Pat Barden agreed, and he had his own theory as to why people were having to wait so long for a connection.
“The amount of money the ESB is bringing in and it can’t supply the ordinary person out the country with a connection. I suspect it’s due to its investment in wind and solar energy,” he said.
For Cathaoirleach John Dwyer it was simply a case of the market dictating when the work was done.
“Whenever you have a monopoly of just one company then that one company sets the pace.”