Ms Jude Sherry:

Louth County Council was extremely successful in using compulsory purchase orders on derelict and empty properties about ten years ago. About 96 properties were purchased within about six or seven months, renovated and turned back into homes. It was a very successful programme but it was cancelled for some unknown reason. We started derelict Ireland five years ago. It is a self-organising community influenced by the vacancy and dereliction task force in Louth, in Drogheda town, which should be city. It has been highly successful in bringing the community, from everyone living there to business owners, to work with the council to try to deal with owners. Drogheda has some beautiful buildings but unfortunately a lot of dereliction. It is about trying to get it into use.