Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Carroll MacNeill for her contribution. A vacant homes pilot project took place involving six local authority areas, with two visual inspections six months apart. In Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, 1,177 properties were inspected and 21 were deemed to be in long-term dereliction in that functional area following the second inspection. We need to review our plans on vacant properties and are doing so in the context of Housing for All. The Deputy is right to point to the potential to unlock property along a 1.2 km street in her area. Brownfield sites and units above shops may provide suitable accommodation. We really need to ensure that schemes are targeted to unlock the potential that exists and that is one of the key issues I am exploring in the context of the towns first proposal, to give people the opportunity to live over shops which will assist in meeting the demand for housing. We will do our very best to deliver on those policies.

See this speech in context