Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Earlier this year, my Department announced details of a new measure, with funding of €15 million, for the refurbishment of vacant and boarded-up local authority houses in order to return these to productive use as quickly as possible. This investment is facilitating the refurbishment of 952 vacant houses across the country.

As part of the Government’s €200 million stimulus for the construction sector, announced in May, a further €15 million is being provided for the refurbishment of additional units. Last week, my Department announced details of the allocation of this €15 million to local authorities, which will facilitate the refurbishment of a further 1,008 vacant local authority units. This brings to €30 million the amount invested in this important programme and will result in almost 2,000 homes becoming available for families on the housing waiting list.