Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I also want to ask about vacant properties. This is something that has been raised and been in the ether in recent weeks and the idea of people doing up homes and opening them up for the refugees has been touted. Homes will be needed if buildings like those in Donamon fill up. There are a great number of vacant properties across the State and I wonder if there has been engagement between the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this? I am thinking of Office of Public Works-owned buildings as well. Has there been any engagement on the use of those buildings? Is the Government looking at bringing those vacant properties back into use for the Ukrainian refugees? That would be a win-win situation when things hopefully get better and those vacant properties are up to a standard as they could potentially be used again.

See this speech in context