Vacant Properties

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Questions (487, 488, 489, 490)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

487. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of full-time vacant homes officers in County Longford, in tabular form. [63558/22]

Sorca Clarke

Question:

488. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided for a vacant homes officer in County Longford, in tabular form. [63559/22]

Sorca Clarke

Question:

489. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the vacant home schemes and policies are sufficient in addressing the vacant homes issue in County Longford. [63560/22]

Sorca Clarke

Question:

490. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he receives regular updates on the number of homes applied for through the vacant homes scheme in County Longford; and, if so, if he will provide figures. [63561/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 to 490, inclusive, together.

Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas.

Significant progress has been made in addressing vacancy since the launch of Housing for All, including the launch of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, funded under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, on 14 July 2022 for eligible vacant properties in towns and villages. On 15 November 2022, the grant was extended to include vacant properties in cities and all rural areas. A grant of up to €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence. Where a property is derelict, a top up grant of €20,000 is available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property to €50,000.

Data is and will continue to be gathered on the operation of the Grant. The number of applications received for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as reported by Longford County Council up to 31 December 2022 was 4.

On 21 September the Ready to Build Scheme, also funded under the Croi Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, was launched. Under the scheme, local authorities provide serviced sites in towns and villages at discounted rates for individuals who wish to build their own home.

From January 2022, my Department increased the contribution to support the role of Vacant Homes Officer (VHO) from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum. This was subject to transitioning the changeover of the VHO to a fulltime position by the end of Q2, 2022. Longford County Council currently has a full time VHO in place and has claimed the funding of €60,000 for 2022/23.

I expect that the extension of the grant scheme to rural properties in November 2022 will have a very positive impact on vacancy in Longford and together with the other positive initiatives detailed in Pathway 4 of Housing for All will address the issue of vacant homes in Longford over the next number of years.

Question No. 488 answered with Question No. 487.

Question No. 489 answered with Question No. 487.

Question No. 490 answered with Question No. 487.

Question No. 491 answered with Question No. 486.