Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
578. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 623 of 26 July 2022, when the full-time vacancy officer will be in place in Galway City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43018/22]
View answerIn January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities regarding the increase in funding, from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum, being made available to support the work of the Vacant Homes Office, including a vacant homes officer (VHO) in each local authority. This supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that the vacant homes officer role is full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
Local authorities were requested to arrange for the vacant homes officer position to become full-time by the end of Q2 2022 and to notify my Department accordingly. My Department understands that Galway City Council appointed a fulltime VHO on 22 August 2022.
