560 families apply for free houses in Inis Meáin under new scheme

Applications from both inside and outside of Ireland have shown “huge interest” in a plan to house a family on Inis Meáin for a year while paying no rent.

The scheme is aimed at a family with a functional level of Irish, with children in pre-school or primary school.

Over 560 applications have been filed for a year rent-free on Inis Meáin.

The offer was made earlier this week by Comhlacht Forbatha, a local community development organisation.

It is seeking a family with school aged children and a “functional” level of Irish to live there for 12 months.

This is an attempt to tackle falling school numbers on the islands off the Galway Coast, Inis Meáin also has a high-speed broadband working hub.

“We’re looking for a family with children to move to Inis Meáin for an academic year to live as part of the community here to attend our schools,” Dara O’Madaoin of Comhlacht Forbartha said.

“And we’re happy to pay the rent for that family as well to stay here for that time.”

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