Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
84. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that he is taking to reduce vacancy and dereliction rates in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3339/22]
View answer114. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the support his Department is providing to help to reduce housing vacancy rates in local authority areas. [3306/22]
View answer139. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to put measures in place to support the refurbishment of vacant property in towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3143/22]
View answer334. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the grant to aid persons in purchasing and renovating derelict homes will be made available; the parameters or eligibility criteria for the scheme that have been determined to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3621/22]
View answerAddressing vacancy and maximising the use of existing housing stock is a primary concern of this Government, as demonstrated by one of the four pathways dedicated solely to this priority area in the new Housing for All strategy. This pathway includes a number of actions to tackle vacancy and dereliction, such as:-
- A new local authority-led programme to help Local Authorities buy or compulsory purchase 2,500 vacant homes in their areas which can then be sold on the open market will ensure homes don’t lie vacant.
- Reform of the Fair Deal Scheme to remove disincentives to selling or renting unused homes.
- The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will be delivered by local authorities for the provision of serviced sites for housing, to attract people to build their own homes and to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages, in a sustainable way.
- A new Town Centre First policy, which will provide a framework to enable the refurbishment and reimaging of vacant and derelict areas of towns.
These measures are in addition to the vacant property tax consideration being pursued by the Department of Finance.
Housing for All also commits to ensuring that vacant homes officers, who will play a key role in implementing these programmes, are full-time officers. This will ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development. This will include options for both social housing and affordable housing in many towns across the country.
