Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In answer to the previous parliamentary question, the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, discussed the Croí Cónaithe towns and villages fund. We have to tackle the scourge of vacancy and dereliction and we are going to do so. That fund will come out very soon.

As regards Mayo in particular, in June 2021 a scheme was submitted for 25 homes in Westport under the previous fund, namely, the serviced sites fund.

We have told Mayo County Council that it can resubmit that to the new fund and I understand work is ongoing between my Department and the council on that.

KPMG is doing some work for Mayo County Council on the future analytics side, to prove the affordability constraint in other areas. Mayo County Council has asked for a meeting, to which we have agreed, but it asked that it would happen after the work with KPMG is concluded. I understand that work will conclude this month and we are happy to meet with Mayo County Council in June, once it has received that data.

The fund is open. We have issued an open call for people to apply. Finally, from 1 July this year the first home shared equity scheme will be open for first-time buyers. We believe in home ownership. That scheme will be country wide, right across the 26 counties and it will give people choice too.

Specifically on Mayo's applications to the fund, we are working with the council on a positive basis because I want to see schemes come in from Mayo.

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