Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his reply but the reality is that despite these existing schemes vacancy and dereliction remains stubbornly high. Failure to act now will mean that these empty buildings continue to blight our main streets year after year while a housing crisis deepens. I am calling for a specific ring-fenced approach, reform of the existing regulatory and grant system, and a targeted relief that applies where a building is actually brought back into use. In the midst of a housing shortage, returning them to productive use is a public good. This is also about restoring our towns, creating houses, creating jobs and giving our communities the confidence they deserve.

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