Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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We discussed voids earlier and I checked the figures. I would like to be associated with the appreciation for the work done by the witnesses in the report they put forward. It is very valuable, especially the indicators which show 31 local authorities getting all of the information together. That provides Deputies, Senators and councillors with the ability to apply pressure on or congratulate local authorities which are doing great work, or to identify local authorities which are falling behind.

One of the issues I have is with Cork City Council. Its 2020 report stated that the average time to turn around a void or vacant house owned by the council was 64 weeks. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, the average time was 28 weeks nationally. One local authority is way behind the others. To me, that is not acceptable. The witnesses are scrutinising local authorities and look at governance. The figure for Cork shows the local authority is failing in its duty because the timelag is so long. I know the witnesses produce the reports and hold workshops, but from a governance point of view is there anything else that can be done to tackle local authorities that are failing like this?