Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 35, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following:
“Reallocation of repossessed dwellings
21. The local authority on successful repossession of a dwelling will as far as is practicable ensure that:(a) any refurbishment works required will be tendered for within 1 month of repossession date,
(b) in the case where only minor refurbishment work is required the dwelling must be reallocated within 3 months of repossession date,
(c) where substantial refurbishment is required the dwelling will be reallocated for habitation not more than 1 month from the completion of refurbishment works.”.

A large number of voids have been building up and, until recently, there were approximately 1,800 long-term voids. We need to be sure that when units are repossessed, they are tendered within one month of repossession. The amendment also proposes that in cases where only minor refurbishment work is required, the dwelling must be reallocated within three months of the repossession date. Where substantial refurbishment is required, the dwelling must be reallocated for habitation not more than one month from the completion of refurbishment works. It is important we have targets. The natural progression that occurred over the years when people either died, left tenancies or the tenancies were repossessed was that they went by the wayside due to lack of funding. That is the reason we have been left with a build-up of voids. In some areas they have been left sitting for three to six months, and we would all agree that is not acceptable in the current crisis.