Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I heard the Minister's response with regard to the various incentives to bring derelict sites back into use. I have one question. There are many properties around the State where the upper floor is vacant and the ground floor is neither vacant nor derelict, nor has it been vacant or derelict at any point. It has been in consistent use as a commercial unit, but the upper floor has not been used for generations. Every market town in the country is full of such properties. Do those properties which are partly vacant, but in respect of which it could not be said that they are derelict or vacant in their entirety because the ground floor is in use, qualify for the Croí Cónaithe scheme? I have had questions to the Ceann Comhairle's office bounce back to Departments coming back to me, over and back. It is a simple question. They either qualify or they do not. They are not fully derelict and not fully vacant. They are vacant in the upper floors. The ground floors are in use and have been in use.

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