Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
650. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department's audit of vacant and derelict homes across the State; the number of vacant and derelict homes brought back into active use in 2023, broken down by delivery stream, that is refurbishment grant, council CPO, and so on, in tabular form. [14373/24]
View answerTackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I launched in January 2023, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. My Department will publish the Plan's 2023 Progress Report in April, setting out what has been achieved in 2023 and what further steps will be taken in 2024.
A Vacancy Survey project, supported by my Department, commenced in December 2022. The survey, to be carried out by local authorities, aims to gather data, granular and high level, on the number of vacant dwellings in each local authority area. This provides a database for the local authority which can then be updated and used to engage with property owners and work to bring those properties back into use. The initial survey work has now been completed by almost all local authorities.
The CPO Activation Programme was launched by my Department in April 2023. The Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant properties. It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.
Targets were set for each local authority on the number of properties to enter the Programme in 2023, with data to be collected in relation to those properties, activity undertaken by the local authority and outcomes, including the scheme or measure used where the property was brought back into use. My Department will report on the 2023 CPO Activation Programme targets in Q2 2024.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/
Data published includes the number of applications received, approved, rejected and paid per local authority and the total value of grants paid.
My Department also publishes data on the Repair and Leasing Scheme on its website, which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls
Finally, my Department also publishes data on the number of vacant social homes (voids) which have been brought back into productive use which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme
The most efficient home to deliver is one which already exists. I firmly believe that the commitment this Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes and revitalising local communities.
