Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can give a straight answer to that question. The Deputy will shortly see quite a big initiative from me to increase the emphasis on repair and leasing. We will try to move budgets around to try to ensure we use this scheme as a way to get many vacant properties back into use much faster.

We had to ensure the scheme worked and was legally sound which is why we have essentially had pilot projects in Carlow and Waterford, which have been successful. We want to introduce the repair and leasing scheme to Dublin and other parts of the country quite quickly. We want to dramatically increase the level of ambition in terms of the numbers of properties we want to bring in through it. Essentially this means we will be able to offer property owners the cost of repairing properties to make them fit for the rental market for social housing. We will essentially cover the cost of that upfront and recoup that cost from a rent over a five- or ten-year period.

Many people will not put private property into social housing because they do not have the money to spend €10,000, €15,000 or €20,000 doing the place up. We are solving that problem. Not only are we solving it but we are also saying to the landlord or property owner that they do not even have to worry about the repairs as we will manage them, we will also manage the tenant, and we will give back the property in five or ten years' time more valuable than it is now. In the meantime they should allow us to use it for social housing. I think we can get many hundreds if not thousands of properties back into use using this scheme. It has proven its worth in Waterford.

I want to rely on approved housing bodies as well as local authorities to drive the scheme. I believe that approved housing bodies, such as Focus Ireland and others, will be willing to knock on doors and ask people if they would be willing to make their property available under certain conditions.

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