Carlow councillor urges ‘locals first’ social housing policy

Labour has distanced itself from a party councillor who called on his local authority to enforce an “affirmative action” plan that would prioritise housing local people ahead of asylum seekers.

Carlow county councillor Will Paton said he has made a submission to the council “calling for affirmative action for housing locals first before any consideration is given to housing asylum seekers”.

“There are very few houses available for rent and most that are available are refusing to take rent supplement or the new housing assist payment,” Mr Paton wrote on Facebook on Monday. “When all the locals are housed then I will gladly welcome asylum seekers.