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

We clearly outlined the target numbers in the parliamentary question response for local authorities in terms of vacancy. We have had the biggest voids programme in the history of the State to bring in 6,000 voids over the past two years. It is highly inaccurate to say that the Department does not have targets when the evidence does not back up that assertion. Unfortunately, sometimes people feel that repeating things that are not correct in the Dáil makes them true. Unfortunately, it does not. As I have pointed out, we are working on a number of other measures to ensure that we bring in voids on a timely basis. It is interesting the Deputy quotes the GeoDirectory in terms of 90,000 units, which would be approximately 4.4% of a vacancy with regard to more than 2 million houses in the State. There are significantly conflicting responses in terms of the various reports into vacancy. We are waiting on the census results, which will give us a greater insight into some of the measures we are tailoring within the Department.

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