Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2022
80. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the programme of compulsory purchase orders to bring vacant units to the market for sale, which is provided for in Housing For All; the number properties in Galway city and county that will be brought into residential use through this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25109/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.
Housing for All commits to a range of measures to address vacancy and maximise the use of existing housing stock including plans to introduce a new programme for the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of vacant properties to ensure their use for residential purposes. The objective is for all Local Authorities, including Galway City Council and Galway County Council, to acquire at least 2,500 vacant units by 2026. The detailed arrangements for the CPO programme are currently being developed, with the aim of advancing it this year, and it will build on the experience of many Local Authorities that already utilise CPO acquisitions in their delivery of new social homes through the Buy and Renew scheme.
