Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of vacant council houses throughout the State on dates (details supplied); the average waiting time for each local authority in reallocating same to tenants; if he has satisfied himself that houses are being reallocated in a timely fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31699/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The detailed information sought in the Question in relation to the numbers of vacant dwellings on the dates concerned is not held in my Department.

The third report from the Local Government Management Services Board on Local Authority Service Indicators, copies of which are in the Oireachtas Library, details the performance of local authorities in 2006 in relation to a wide range of activities. Among the data provided in that report are percentages for each local authority of dwellings that are empty; empty dwellings that are available for letting; and average time to re-let dwellings.

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. I consider that the publication by the Local Government Management Services Board of comparative data on performance will encourage all local authorities to deliver services to the highest possible standard.