Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
1954. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there is sufficient funding for local authorities to refurbish void houses that need to be brought up to a standard to offer to new occupants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35461/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 58 of the Housing Act 1966, provides that the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for each individual local authority. This includes the implementation of planned maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive repairs and pre-letting repairs.
The Voids Programme, introduced in 2014 by my Department, provides additional support to local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. The purpose of the Voids Programme is to ensure that vacant units are actively targeted, with a view to minimising the turnaround and re-let time of these units and return them to use in an energy efficient condition.
Earlier this year, local authorities submitted to my Department details of their work proposals and related funding requirements for this programme in 2019. These proposals were evaluated and approval was given to proceed with works to 1,466 void properties with a remediation cost of some €27.3m. Given the availability of funding, the completion of the works concerned is now a matter for individual local authorities.
