John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a carrot and stick approach. The repair and lease scheme is the carrot and the CPO is the stick. If the stick is not being used, or not being seen to be used, there will not be any take-up. Evidence has been provided to this committee from local authorities that have been exceptionally proactive in the CPO space. Limerick City and County Council has acquired upwards of 100 units through CPOs in recent years. Waterford City and County Council has made use of the repair and lease scheme. There has been a carrot and stick approach. There is no excuse for any property to remain vacant now. There are a great many schemes for the owners of such properties. However, the onus must be squarely on the local authorities. If these properties are not being used, the local authority has to step up, fulfil its end of the bargain and utilise that stick where the carrot is not being availed of. At this committee meeting today, I ask the councils to take a more proactive approach in that space.