Dara Calleary
Question:2000. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to change the repair and leasing scheme; and when the plans will come into affect. [37621/17]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2017
Questions (2000)
Written answers
The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) was piloted in Carlow and Waterford and has been rolled out nationally since 23 February last. Data gathered during 2017 will inform and guide the development of a national scheme up to 2021. My Department has been working intensively with local authorities and AHBs to develop and implement the scheme. There have been a number of national and local press advertising initiatives, as well as targeted online promotion in an effort to ensure that property owners who can benefit from the scheme are aware of the benefits. The scheme is one of a suite of measures available to local authorities to bring vacant properties back into use.
Based on the first full three months of activity of the scheme, at end June 2017, applications in respect of a total of 535 units have been received by local authorities. Of these, 102 units have been deemed suitable for social housing; a further 138 units have been assessed as unsuitable, and at that time 295 units were in the process of being assessed by local authorities.
To date, 8 Agreements to Lease have been signed - 3 in Carlow and 5 in Waterford. It is expected that the first units will be ready for tenanting in September. Feedback from local authorities indicates that in many cases, properties require extensive repair work and therefore are not suitable for the RLS, have been secured under my Department's Buy and Renew Scheme which facilitates local authorities or approved housing bodies to purchase vacant properties for social housing use.
As part of my ongoing review of Rebuilding Ireland, I am examining all opportunities to accelerate and improve both social housing delivery as well as initiatives to bring more vacant houses back in the use at a faster pace. I expect to conclude the review over the course of the coming weeks and new or revised initiatives will be announced as they are finalised.