A local councillor has accused Galway City Council of giving preferential treatment to ex-convicts by housing them on their release from prison.
The Council has confirmed it has a duty to house people released from jail, but denied any preferential treatment is given.
At a local authority meeting this week, Councillor Padraig Conneely said he had information that people with serious criminal records were being allocated houses by agencies which work with the City Council to reduce the housing waiting list.
He subsequently said that released convicts can ensure they are prioritised by claiming they are in danger of becoming homeless.
Cllr Conneely told the meeting it was outrageous that criminals would be housed by the Council and placed beside “decent, honourable people”.
Under Housing Minister Simon Coveney’s Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, local authorities have a duty to former prisoners – including sex offenders – to ensure they do not become homeless.
Council Chief Executive Brendan McGrath said the people who are being discharged from prisons who go onto the Council housing list are entitled to receive the accommodation they need.
“They are human beings who have needs that we as a housing authority have a duty to deal with,” said Mr McGrath.
He said he was not aware of any issues in relation to an ex-convict being housed.
A spokesperson for the Council said it was not correct to suggest that preference was given to convicts on their release from prison, but added that if somebody is in danger of becoming homeless, the housing authority has a duty to them.
For extensive coverage of the city’s housing and homeless crisis, see this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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