Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have made significant progress in this area. We have made a lot of progress with local authorities in particular. When I was appointed, I was very keen to engage with local authorities and other public bodies so that if there was a vacant property, we would give local authorities and other public bodies first refusal and ultimately get to community groups if community groups had a viable interest and could demonstrate that with the support of a Leader company or local authority, it would not become a burden on a local community. In other words, community groups would not come looking to us for grants. Only as a last port of call, would we put a "For Sale" sign on it. At the moment, 4% of properties are vacant so the number has decreased considerably.