'There have been delays,' Council criticised over 'unbelievably slow' housing loan process

"There have been delays," admitted Director of Services at Carlow County Council, Michael Brennan, after the local authority was criticised over their "unbelievably slow" housing loan process.

Cllr Fergal Browne brought up the issue at this month's meeting of Carlow Municipal District when he said that for some applicants by the time the Council get back to them the house has been sold or the price of the property has gone up. 

Since February last year, local authorities have been offering Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans, a Government backed initiative which aims to offer low-cost mortgages to purchasers who have difficulty in securing finance from the main lenders.

Mr Brennan said the Credit Committee, which decides on the loan applications, meets monthly and he added: "There have been delays. We are trying to address those issues."