Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if local authorities have easier access to funds from his Department to construct new local authority houses rather than to repair existing vacant houses; his views on whether there is a major problem involving the repair and allocation of existing vacant local authority houses and that if all vacant local authority houses were allocated, the nationwide housing crisis would improve; the distribution method of funds in the case of both existing and new local authority houses to local authorities; if his Department will review this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12298/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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It is the responsibility of the local authorities concerned to ensure that their houses are re-let to households on their waiting lists as quickly as possible after they are vacated. Some houses may require refurbishment before they are re-let and this is a matter for individual authorities. My Department provides capital funding, subject to conditions, to local authorities for the refurbishment of houses that have remained vacant for periods longer than six months and require major refurbishment. Local authorities are required to meet from their own resources the first €10,000 of the cost of such refurbishment in respect of each dwelling.