Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
782. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to a previous Parliamentary Question, if his Department will urgently correspond with an organisation (details supplied) regarding two derelict properties which are owned at Sarsfield Square, Athlone, County Westmeath. [17088/23]
View answerThe ongoing management and maintenance of Approved Housing Body (AHB) properties is a matter for the each AHB in conjunction with the relevant local authority. It is critical that local authorities take an active oversight role on the condition and tenanting of all AHB properties in their area, as it is they who manage the allocations for such properties with the AHBs, including responding to situations where properties are vacant.
I understand from Westmeath County Council that in the case of certain properties referred to in the question, they are in contact with the AHB concerned and await a report from them on the condition of the properties and the options for their renewal. My Department will continue to work with Westmeath County Council in relation to this issue as I share their focus on addressing any vacant public homes and making them available for re-tenanting as soon as possible.
