Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020
57. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the €4 million that Tipperary County Council is borrowing to upgrade 114 houses in its stock; the impact this level of borrowing will have on the housing finances of the council going forward; if he plans to increase funding allocations for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17627/20]
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 been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. From 2014 to 2019, expenditure of some €172 million was recouped to local authorities under this programme.
Funding under the voids programme will continue to be provided in 2020. The initial Covid-19 related specific call for proposals that issued in April will be followed up with a more general call for proposals soon. Under the initial call Tipperary County Council sought approval for 7 voids and funding of €69,497 and this was approved.
In relation to the proposed borrowing of €4m by Tipperary County Council my Department has not yet received a request for loan sanction.
In the longer run, it is important that local authorities increasingly move toward a preventative maintenance approach to the management of their housing stock and my Department is working with the Sector to this end.
