Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to join the Senator in welcoming this good news. When I was asked to stand in for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage this morning, I spoke at length with officials to confirm the details. Like everybody in rural areas, as soon as the scheme came out and was extended to villages of 400 or 500 people, we were immediately asked about the derelict houses in rural areas. This announcement by the Minister that it will be extended to rural areas is fantastic. They are now working with the vacant homes officers. Some 25 of the 31 local authorities have full-time vacant homes officers in place; the others need to get one in place urgently. I would advise people to work with the vacant homes officer in the local authority to progress this scheme. Discussions are ongoing. It will be November before the final details are available.