Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Howlin raised this question, but perhaps that was before Deputy Boyd Barrett was present. I outlined some of the initiatives that the Government was taking to bring homes back into use, including supporting properties in being repaired for social housing use, the purchase of unoccupied homes by the Housing Agency and the restoration of voids. A detailed survey of vacant homes is to be available within weeks. It will shed light on the reasons for vacancy, where the vacant homes are and whether they can be targeted to be returned to use. The evidence suggests that the rate could be as much as 25% in some parts of the west, but those homes might not be available in the pressure points in the cities.

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