127 new social housing units will be built in the West Mayo Municipal District over the next 5 years.

The figures were confirmed yesterday when Mayo County Council’s Director of Housing Paul Benson gave a presentation to councillors at their monthly meeting in Castlebar.

Of the 127 new social housing units, 61 will be provided in Westport town, and 21 of these are currently under construction.

New social housing units are also planned for Achill, Belmullet, Newport, Louisburg, Mulranny, Kilmeena and Glenamoy.

Westport-based Independent Councillor Christy Hyland has welcomed plans for additional social housing in the area, but is calling on central Government to make more funding available to the local authority for an increased number of social housing units in Westport