Statistics on local authority housing stock, including information on vacant stock and the average time taken to re-let available dwellings, are published annually by the Local Government Management Agency. The most recent statistics are in respect of 2013 and are available at the following link: http://www.lgma.ie/en/service-indicators-local-authorities-2013. In 2014, Dublin City Council returned 467 vacant properties to productive use with funding support from my Department at a cost of €6,163,464.
Funding made available under Budget 2015 will see 1,000 vacant units nationally being returned to productive use this year and will be allocated on an equitable and evidence-based system, based on the priorities submitted by local authorities, the degree of local housing need, the current numbers of vacant units, the length of time properties have been vacant and the cost effectiveness of the proposal. Proposals for works under this initiative received from local authorities are currently under consideration and details of allocations will issue shortly.