Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

They are private houses. I tried to get South Dublin County Council to compulsorily purchase these houses when I was a member of the council but it did not have the authority to do so. Councils powers in this area need to be strengthened as well.

Across the country the effect vacant homes have on communities is clear. Vacant homes are a disgrace in themselves but they also attract problems, including vandalism, anti-social behaviour, and illegal dumping. I have seen how quiet, settled estates have become targets for activities, which upset the whole community because of the environment that policies have been created to not only allow homes to become vacant but also remain vacant.

Thousands of people are on the housing waiting list in Dublin Mid-West. Couples are trapped in high rents, families are living with parents, stuck in back bedrooms, and children are not living but merely existing in emergency accommodation. Bringing vacant homes into use will increase supply and provide homes for the people and families who are struggling in the current housing crisis.

It would be extremely beneficial from the perspective of climate change as much of the key infrastructure, such as roads, and water and energy utilities, is already in place. According to a response provided to my colleague, Deputy Ó Broin, on foot of a parliamentary question, only 1,462 homes have been delivered through the three Government schemes to date. The Government's original target was 5,600. I am not satisfied with those figures, I doubt that the Minister of State is either nor are those adversely affected by the housing crisis. We need a commitment to an immediate time-limited review of the schemes with a view to setting ambitious targets for the return of vacant homes to use.

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