Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for what was a negative reply. Basically, the query I put concerns the fact that local authorities are being asked to deal with voids but they are not being compensated for the cost of doing so. The figure of €11,000 per house was decided in 2020. I have given the Minister of State figures on the increase in inflation, not just from the local authority but from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, an organisation that has put forward figures on the increased cost. It is only right that local authorities be compensated for bringing housing voids to the high standard demanded by the Department. Other services they provide to taxpayers should not be impacted.

The reply indicated that the Department will only consider additional units and will not compensate the local authority for the shortfall of some €3 million it must meet as a result of bringing houses up to the standard demanded by the Department. That is not fair.