Housing scheme fiasco leaves €100,000 bill

HOMES built for people with special needs have to be redesigned at a cost of up to €100,000 because the doors on some are too narrow to allow wheelchair access.

The nine local authority houses among 46 being developed in Enniscorthy, County Wexford by the town council will have to be re-adapted to provide a host of aids for their tenants. Baths were included in many of the homes, not showers as would be required. And the necessary non-slip flooring was not fitted in others.

Local Fianna Fail councillor, Peter Byrne is furious and says the work will not only cost the taxpayer but will also delay the project. He raised the matter at the recent urban district council meeting and the local authority admitted its error.