Small number of clients responsible for majority of rental and loan arrears in Offaly

The Statutory Audit Report to members of Offaly County Council for the year ending December 2023, show rent arrears as of December 31 in Offaly amounted to €645,000 (after credit balances of €149,000).

At the year end rents and annuities in arrears for three months or more were €517,000 of which 17% is owed by 9 clients.

Furthermore the total number of overdue housing loans reached €36,000. Debit arrears reached €100,000 of which 55% related to 7 clients. Despite this the collection yield in respect of housing loans increased by 94% in 2023 compared to 85% in 2022.

The audit was prepared by Local Government Auditor, Fiona Clancy and published in January this year by DHLGH (Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage)

''Continued efforts should be concentrated on those clients where excess arrears are outstanding,'' the auditor advised. She said it was ''essential that the Council dedicate resources to the recovery of outstanding debts and consider the write-off of unsecured irrecoverable amounts.''

Responding, Chief Executive Officer with Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney said the ''finance department continues to engage proactively with customers of Offaly County Council. Debtor collectability across all income streams is constantly under review and appropriate bad debt provisions are made where required.''

The collection yields for housing rents and annuities (including income from Rental Accommodation Scheme and Long-Term Leasing) was at 93% in 2023.

Meanwhile, capital expenditure on housing in the county accounted for €29.8m and refers to the purchase/ building of houses for Council stock and the provision of funding to voluntary housing bodies for further housing projects.