Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The reason it has not been spent must be answered by the councils. As Deputy Jonathan O'Brien knows - we worked together quite closely when on the city council - there is a need for a joined-up approach between the local authority and central government. Up to €5 million has been allocated to the councils in Cork to support the return of vacant social housing units for use. However, only a fraction of that money has been drawn down. It beggars belief as to why that money has not been drawn down. In 2015, Cork County Council was allocated funding for 71 units and Cork City Council for 122 units. In real terms, that is €3.6 million but not one claim for a drawdown has been processed by the city. That does not make sense to me. Despite this, the councils have got 41 houses back into use, a development which I commend. Cork County Council has got €1.4 million, with a drawdown claim of over 30 units which the Department is processing. Given the demand for and the shortage of housing in Cork city and county, I hope the Minister will expedite this drawdown. I hope the city of Cork is not unique in the allocation of funding not being drawn down.

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