David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The work the Minister is doing in this area is extraordinary and really important. In the town of Youghal in my constituency, which she knows well, I am told there are 102 vacant properties on the main street. I am not aware of any town team being established there. We probably need to accelerate the great work the Minister is doing to bring more towns up to speed. I agree with my colleague, Deputy Matthews, on the importance of having people living in properties that were retail properties in the past but are no longer being used for that purpose. That is needed to bring life back into the streets of towns. It would be absolutely fantastic to see that happening. Youghal is a beautiful town by the sea with everything going for it, including a great history and heritage. Yet, because of its geographical location, the traffic in Castlemartyr and so on, it is dying in front of us. Can the Minister give us any hope as to what can be done for Youghal in the near future?

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