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

Mayo has done huge work in highlighting vacanthomes.ieto identify vacancy and areas in which properties can be brought back into use. It is very important that local authorities have full-time vacant homes officers in place to take advantage of these key funding streams now being put forward by the Government with record levels of funding to try to bring these properties back into use. In addition, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is working on the first-time buyer's grant to bring derelict properties back into use. That will be a very significant intervention as well. All these schemes will provide people with a sustainable outcome for living in rural areas and provincial towns, like we have in County Mayo. I look forward to working with Deputy Dillon to expand further these schemes. I am sure we have the best possible suite of armoury to respond to this huge challenge.

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