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

This is a very important issue, as the Deputies have just highlighted. In terms of towns first, towards the end of the year we will have firm Government proposals for unlocking some of those sites that are targeted in the national planning framework and bringing them back into use. We must also consider sites, houses and shops on main streets that can be converted through the various schemes which are currently being reviewed by the Minister in the context of Housing for All. It is also important to acknowledge that local authorities have resources available to them, with a grant of €50,000 for vacant homes officers. In many local authorities vacant homes officers are working on numerous other tasks including broadband, for example, but they need to be focused on getting properties back into use. In Cork city, an inspection showed that only 16 properties were vacant over the course of six months. This is something we will have to closely examine but maybe there is not as much low-hanging fruit as some would suggest.

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