Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
492. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the location of the vacant houses that will be refurbished in Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council under the new Government scheme to refurbish vacant local authority homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31276/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, my Department announced details of a new measure, with funding of €15 million, for the refurbishment of vacant and boarded-up local authority houses in order to return these to productive use as quickly as possible. This investment is facilitating the refurbishment of 952 vacant houses across the country.
As part of the Government’s €200 million stimulus for the construction sector announced in May, a further €15 million is being provided for the refurbishment of additional units. Last week my Department announced details of the allocation of this €15 million to local authorities, which will facilitate the refurbishment of a further 1,008 vacant local authority units. This brings to €30 million the amount invested in this important programme and will result in almost 2,000 homes becoming available for families on the housing waiting list.
The investment will see the return of some 518 vacant houses to productive use across the Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council administrative areas. A list of the properties approved under the measure is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as quickly as possible.
