Tenants’ health affected by ‘poor conditions’ at Ramelton apartments - Donegal News

CONCERNS have been raised that “poor conditions” at apartments in Ramelton are causing illness to tenants living there.

CONCERNS have been raised that “poor conditions” in Ramelton are causing illness to pepole living there.

Three tenants in the town have been given doctors’ notes relating to sickness arising from damp and cold, it is claimed.

That is according to Independent Cllr Pauric McGarvey, who is the the new Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny-Milford MD.

Cllr McGarvey, who is from nearby Rathmullan, asked Donegal County Council’s housing department at the June meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford MD to meet with property owners.

He wished to highlight what he called “the urgency and the poor conditions”.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Cllr McGarvey said he has been raising residential issues since he first became a councillor three years ago.

He said a building has no fire exits and one tenant has to run an electric dehumidifier through the winter to combat the dampness.

Cllr McGarvey outlined one particular case in which the mother of a one-year-old child had to get rid of belongings due to the damp.

“She had to throw out her buggies, her pram and the mattress from the cot,” he said.

“And a lot of clothes and belongings, not even the child’s but her own belongings like shoes and stuff from wardrobes.

“They’re not defective concrete, it’s an old building and it’s damp, it’s wet, and it has a poor heating system.

“They’re old storage heaters run by electricity and the tenants have massive bills.”

He said tenants are being refused transfer from their current homes, despite supplying doctors’ letters.

“At the end of the day, they’re not looking for transfers out of them for nothing,” said Cllr McGarvey.

Concerns were brought to the fore at the Letterkenny-Milford MD meeting.

“I don’t believe [things] are up to standard,” said Cllr McGarvey.

He urged that the meeting with proprietors take place “as soon as possible”.

The official response to the motion reads: “The Council’s Maintenance Team has carried out inspections on a number of occasions following receipt of repair requests from tenants.

“Housing Services engage with the company responsible for the maintenance of the properties, as the need arises.

“Damage to the roof of the building arising from one of the named storms was reported to the company and the necessary repairs were undertaken.

“Maintenance of the lift is carried out and issues are dealt with promptly when they occur.

“It is acknowledged that heavy rain combined with a high tide caused a flooding incident in the basement area of the building in 2024.

“However, none of the council’s leased units were directly affected by it.

“The company has been asked to advise on measures they have put in place to prevent any re-occurrence.

“Housing Services will continue to liaise with the company. We will raise with them any issue that has been notified to us by the tenants or by the elected members.”

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr McGarvey said tenants were glad to hear of the update.

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