Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. On Deputy Stanton's question on Youghal, my Department and the local authority are engaging to take action. We hope to have something back to the local authority in that regard.

On the derelict sites register, local authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operations in their functional areas. As of December 2023, there were 1,913 properties on the register nationally. We need to continue to have vacant and derelict sites registered within each local authority area.

On the important work done by vacant homes officers, it is important that the Department continue to engage with local authorities on resourcing needs to support the activation of vacant and derelict properties. That is really important. The €150 million URDF announced this week will reactivate many properties that are currently vacant or derelict. It is seen as another lever the Government is using to tackle the scourge in towns and cities.

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