Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Ó Broin. The Department was before the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage today and its officials enlightened me, telling me that our cities have dereliction rates that are below average. I found that an astounding comment to make. I have asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and I now ask the Minister of State, to come to Cork and walk around the city with me. I will show the Minister of State the dereliction and he can then tell me whether the rate is below average. Just to let him know, Cork City Council is trying to get things done. It is trying to get lighting for the Fairfield area, bollards removed from John F. Connolly Road and a disabilities officer but I am told that we do not have the funding. However, there is €3 million outstanding in uncollected derelict sites levies in Cork alone. There is €12.5 million outstanding across the State. The fact I got from the officials today was absolutely astounding. All three Ministers have to answer this question. There is not one official in the Department who is dedicated full-time to vacancy and dereliction. There should be a section dealing with it. There is not one person dealing with it full-time. There are 100,000 houses derelict or vacant but no one in the Department is looking after the matter. It is shocking.

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