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

The fundamental issue is that there is an action plan for vacant properties. The sum of €150 million has just been announced by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, under the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, specifically to bring derelict sites back into use as homes. The resources are there, and we want to see action on the ground. We will work proactively with the local authorities on the derelict sites registers. Fundamentally, what we want to see is vacant sites around the country being brought back into use to provide home. That is happening.

Deputy Canney inquired about houses built after 1993. This is a matter of which we are conscious. A review is under way in respect of it.

In reply to Deputy Stanton, there is a section in the Department at a senior level that deals specifically with vacancy and that reports directly to the Minister. It is proactively engaging with local authorities. A meeting took place yesterday between all the vacant homes officers the length and breadth of the country and the Department. Further engagement is about to take place with councils on the URDF for town centres in order to get them to be proactive in bringing derelict sites back into use. No stone is being left unturned. The Minister met with the CEOs of all the local authorities last week. They are fully aware that they can apply for additional vacant homes officers. Ultimately, they must make the applications.

Deputy Stanton is a public representative for Cork East. He is coming here to represent the people. If a request is made and we agree to it, it will be up to the local authorities to be proactive and to make applications. If they are complaining to Deputy Stanton that the resources are not in place and if he gets a commitment from the Government that the resources are there, then I am sorry but the local authority needs to get the finger out and make the application.

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