Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss revitalising derelict and vacant houses on farmlands

The meeting in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be split into two sessions.

• 5.30pm-6.30pm – Representatives from the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV);
• 6.30pm-8.30pm – Representatives from the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), Macra na Feirme, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA), and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA).

Ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “Restoring vacant or derelict houses on farms bring a number of benefits. These include providing much-needed homes in a housing crisis, keeping young people on farms and helping create a new generation of farmers, and providing economic and social rejuvenation in rural towns and villages. Renovating existing housing can also contribute to meeting our climate targets as such work involves less carbon emissions than new builds.

“Grants of up to €70,000 are now available for renovating derelict housing. The Committee looks forward to discussing these issues and related matters with our stakeholders, including additional supports and assistance that could be provided by the State to help farmers and others in rural Ireland to bring vacant and derelict homes back as viable housing stock.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.