Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I am talking specifically about the homes that have been brought in by the use of compulsory purchase orders. I am aware that CPOs are a good stick to have and that they do not always need to be used, but there is a great disparity in their use in some local authorities versus others. With that in mind, when was the most recent circular his Department issued, if it has issued one, to local authorities advising them, or advising them again, of the powers they have? Some seem quite reticent to use them. I have specific examples of this.

The Minister talked about bringing vacant housing stock back into use, but only about 102 homes have been brought back into use under the repair and leasing scheme. That is just 13% of the target that was set. It is in principle a very good scheme. It should be a lot more successful than that. I have noticed recent advertisements in the papers trying to push it. That is welcome.

5 o’clock

Are some local authorities ignoring the fact that they have these additional powers? What is the Minister and his Department doing to ensure that local authorities use that stick when needed to bring long-term derelict and vacant homes back into the housing stock?

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