Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 December 2022
23. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will urgently engage with an organisation (details supplied) regarding vacant housing units which are owned in Macroom, County Cork, to ensure as a matter of urgency that these units can be used for people to live in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59865/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathway 4 in Housing for All is focused on addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock. With regard to the vacant units referenced in the details supplied, I understand that these properties are over a commercial premises and have been vacant for some time. Following engagement by Cork County Council with the property owner, discussions are currently ongoing between the parties on the potential activation of these apartments for residential use. This engagement is being carried out by the Vacant Homes Officer and the Property Activation Section in Cork County Council.
This demonstrates the importance of the Vacant Homes Officer role in each local authority including in Cork County Council. It is their role to identify vacant properties, engage with property owners and promote the use of the schemes and funding programmes which are available to address vacancy and bring vacant properties back into residential use.
My Department is providing support and funding to each local authority to assist the work of each Vacant Homes Officer. These roles are now fulltime in each local authority, with 29 Vacant Homes Officers currently in place and the remaining two due to be appointed shortly.
The suite of measures to address vacancy in Housing for All will continue to be progressed to ensure that existing properties are brought back into use as homes.
