Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Peter McVerry Trust has suggested that local authorities have empty homes officers, as is the case in the United Kingdom, who would actively seek to find out why houses are empty. This is a good proposal, although I am not necessarily suggesting additional staff be appointed. Each local authority could designate an existing member of staff and instruct this person to proactively find out why houses are empty and whether they can used. I share the Minister's frustration in this regard, having called in local authorities in my time as a Minister to get them to do things. The proposal from the Peter McVerry Trust is a very good one.

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