Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. I am sure the Department will examine the report in full. As she highlighted, the figures are stark. Just to reiterate, the Government is committed to addressing vacancy and maximising the use of existing building stock. It is essential we consider the best means by which to ensure vacant properties are brought back into effective use. Beyond ensuring the most efficient use of our existing buildings I am also aware that from a climate and sustainability perspective there is a strong incentive to retain, repurpose and, where necessary, redevelop our vacant structures as they may represent a significant volume of embodied carbon. Thus, it is in our best interest to fully explore the options available to us for repurposing these structures. I again thank the Senator for raising this. It is an important issue.