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Vacant Properties

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (790)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

790. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant properties here; the number suitable for social housing; the number that have been considered for acquisition by local authorities by authority; and the cost of acquisition of these homes. [41154/21]

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Written answers

My Department does not hold data on the number of vacant properties or the numbers that might be suitable for social housing. However, my Department is providing full funding support to all the local authorities for the acquisition of suitable properties for social housing use. The extent to which this is availed of by the local authorities can depend on the opportunities that exist to acquire the properties and their suitability for social housing.

I have asked local authorities to increasingly target vacant and derelict properties that can be brought back to use as part of new public housing delivery. Initiatives such as the Repair & Leasing Scheme and the Buy & Renew Scheme have been developed to assist private property owners and local authorities or approved housing bodies to harness the accommodation potential that exists in vacant properties. It is important that local authorities and approved housing bodies where they undertake such targeted acquisitions, do not compete with private purchasers and leave value in the market particularly for first-time buyers.

To date around 700 new social homes have been delivered via the Buy & Renew Scheme and a further approximately 250 via Repair & Lease. I am keen that further progress is made in this area of delivering new social homes through tackling vacancy and as funding availability to acquire or to lease such properties is not a barrier in this, I hope that all public representatives will support local authorities to deliver further new social homes in this way.

Question No. 791 answered with Question No. 785.
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