Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
443. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Kildare County Council to make an application for the vacant properties programme; if such an application has been submitted; the funding he proposes to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19780/20]
View answer450. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Fingal County Council to make an application for the vacant properties programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding he proposes to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19843/20]
View answer459. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Wicklow County Council to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department plans to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19892/20]
View answer466. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Tipperary County Council to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department plans to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for the release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19942/20]
View answer489. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited counties Cavan and Monaghan to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department plans to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20189/20]
View answer496. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal and Roscommon county councils to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding he plans to allocate to each authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20276/20]
View answer506. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Donegal County Council to make an application for the vacant properties programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department proposes to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20439/20]
View answer524. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Meath County Council to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted, the amount he plans to allocate to the authority; the estimated timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20710/20]
View answer535. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal and Roscommon county councils to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if applications have been submitted, the amount of funding he plans to allocate to each authority; the estimated timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20797/20]
View answer542. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Kerry County Council to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department plans to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20807/20]
View answer549. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Clare Count Council to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department proposes to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20900/20]
View answer558. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Kildare County Council to make an application for the vacant properties programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department proposes to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21015/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 443, 450, 459, 466, 489, 496, 506, 524, 535, 542, 549 and 558 together.
An initial call for proposals for COVID-19 related voids funding issued to local authorities earlier this year. It was targeted at supporting authorities bring social housing homes back into use quickly to help them deal with Covid-19 restrictions and requirements. I understand that the work on the majority of these homes is now complete and from overall funding of €4.8 million 475 homes were brought into productive use.
As announced on the 23rd of July, as part of this Government's Stimulus Package, I have secured additional funding for the Voids programme this year, to help bring over 2,000 homes back into use, support local authorities financially and to give a stream of work to builders and contractors locally, across the country.
My Department has been in regular contact with local authority management in preparing this programme and I have highlighted its importance, in particular the need for immediate delivery, to the City and County Management Association during a meeting with social housing delivery partners this week.
A call for proposals and initial funding allocations will issue to all local authorities imminently.
