Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If the Deputy was in the Chamber for questions on housing about three weeks ago, he will have heard the Minister give a commitment that any local authority that wishes to appoint additional housing officers can make a business case to the Department, which will be very receptive to it. I ask the Deputy to go back to Tipperary County Council to make a case for additional vacant homes officers wherever they are required in Tipperary.

The Croí Cónaithe scheme has been very successful to date, with more than 900 applicants. As the Deputy is aware, it is working throughout the country. There is €30,000 available where the house has been vacant for more than two years and up to €50,000 is available for a derelict site. We want people to take up this scheme. We want people to live in houses that are currently vacant and derelict. I ask the Deputy to go back to Tipperary County Council and tell the relevant staff that if they wish to appoint vacant housing officers, to make the application and business case to the Department. We are very receptive to that.

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