Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that reply. I can understand why section 28(5) has not been commenced given the serious backlog. This is not a backlog; this is ten years late and it has not been done. I accept this is only part of the solution and not the entire solution, but it would help move things along.

Communities are left with a sense of incompletion and with vacancy, which can lead to dereliction. This is often in the heart of the residential area, maybe where there are commercial units or shops opened, and some other amenities and facilities. It can be where transport hubs are located and people get off buses and trains. To be left a decade later with all this vacancy is completely unacceptable. It takes the heart out of these areas and means they do not have the vibrancy, vitality or completion they need.

Children who were not born when their parents moved into these areas are now moving into their teens with this vacancy continuing in their area. What is being done to address the backlog? What commitments can the Minister of State give that the Government is taking this issue seriously and providing resources to quickly deal with the backlog? We need this to be done to achieve fairness for these communities. It is part of the solution and could identify and free up areas to be converted to residential uses. That would have an impact on the housing crisis.

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