Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Wynne asked about capital and the provision of funding to local authorities to continue the e tenant in situ scheme. That is in place. Deputy Ó Broin referred to a June circular. I wrote to the local authorities after that - in July last. I have said this in the House on a number of occasions and have engaged directly, as I do, with the chief executives and directors of services in all of our 31 local authorities. They are very clear that this scheme is proceeding and continuing. I want the local authorities to continue to exceed the base target of 1,500 homes we have set.

I want more than that to be purchased. If we can do that we absolutely will.

In relation to vacancy and voids, we have brought approximately 8,500 voids back in. It is true to say that some local authorities have performed better than others in relation to re-tenanting. Sometimes regarding to re-tenanting, extensive works may be required on that home to get it back out, but I do not want to see homes being vacant for 40 weeks while that work is being done. I regularly engage with the local authorities, which are the housing authorities in their own areas and are responsible for that. We provide the funding to get those homes back into use. There can be reasons specific homes are vacant, such as if a house has to be adapted, or if it is in really bad shape and requires more work, but that is not what we want to see.

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