Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020
1370. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding allocated to Cavan County Council in respect of the housing voids programme in 2019; if an increased level of funding will be provided in 2020 in view of the urgent need to bring vacant local authority housing stock back to habitable use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6683/20]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. This funding was introduced originally to tackle long term vacant units and is now targeted to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for local authority vacant stock.
In 2019, Cavan County Council was allocated funding of €426,161 to undertake the refurbishment of 36 vacant social housing homes. My Department will be issuing a calls for proposals under the voids programme for 2020 and will consider any proposals received from Cavan County Council.
It should be noted that there is a commitment under Rebuilding Ireland that local authorities will introduce a preventative maintenance approach to the management of their housing stock and it is logical that this would be funded primarily from the rental income received from that same housing stock. My Department is in ongoing discussions with the City & County Management Association, on behalf of local authorities, in this regard.
