Carlow County Council claim the census figure for vacant houses in the town and county is way off the mark.
The stats say there are more than 2,000 homes that are vacant.
However, the council is now compiling it’s own list of empty dwellings and they’re asking anyone who owns such a property or who knows of one, to get in touch.
Speaking to KCLR News, Housing Director Séamus O’Connor says the census figures simply aren’t right:
“They’re telling us there’s 2,500 houses vacant in Co Carlow, but there aren’t people knowingly leaving their house empty when you can get €600-€800 in rent a month for them.
“I mean people aren’t mad. So the figure isn’t that. They’re telling us there’s 650 in Carlow Town. There aren’t. Not in a student town where you can rent very easily and you can’t get houses to rent.
“The figure is not correct and we’re trying to move on and get the real thing.”
