Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not agree with Deputy Bacik's accusation but do agree with her on the absolute importance of ensuring the properties do not go void. Once an outgoing tenant or family vacates a social property, it should be immediately brought back into circulation and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, working with the local authority, should ensure it provides the funding to achieve this. That is something we are doing every single year. At national level this year, €31 million in funding has been allocated specifically for this. The Deputy is raising a specific issue related to the Dublin City Council area. I have outlined to her that officials of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are in contact with officials from Dublin City Council in an effort to identify additional units that have funding requirements, and they will be making every effort to support additional requests.

This is an important issue and it is being addressed on an ongoing basis alongside our work to bring new properties, social and private, into circulation for families, making sure every one of them is fully utilised.

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