Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
324. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding for the voids programme is planned to be wound down, as suggested in circular 5 of 2019 issued to Cork City Council; if so, the timeline for same; and the measures that will be implemented for preventative maintenance in this instance. [10103/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to a transition from the current funding programmes for stock improvement works to a planned maintenance funding approach driven by strategic and targeted local authority work programmes, informed by stock condition surveys. My Department is therefore working with the local authority sector, through the City and County Management Association, to drive a planned maintenance approach to the maintenance of local authority housing stock. This will see circa 140,000 local authority social housing properties surveyed over a 4/5 year period, commencing in late 2021. These stock condition surveys will inform future work programmes, funding requirements and allocations.
Pending the full transition to a planned maintenance approach, my Department will continue to support local authorities through the voids programme. Final details in relation to the 2021 voids programme are currently being finalised. As in previous years, local authorities will shortly be asked to make a funding application in respect of their vacant stock and funding allocations will issue to all local authorities in due course.
