Written answers

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Social and Affordable Housing Maintenance

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

184. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the 121 vacant council houses unoccupied throughout County Sligo; how and when these will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34777/15]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am very conscious of the need to have all vacant social housing that is lettable made available to those on housing waiting lists. For that reason, my Department is providing funding support to Sligo County Council, and to all other local authorities, to return all lettable vacant social housing units that they have identified to productive use.

My Department has no involvement in the allocation of social housing; this is a matter for individual local authorities.

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

185. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria that void housing units should meet to be considered eligible for void refurbishment funding from his Department, for example, the state of repair and disrepair the void would have to be in. [34779/15]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The current programme of funding support which my Department provides for local authorities to return vacant social housing units to productive use is directed at units where the cost of remediation greatly exceeds the cost of the normal end-of-lease maintenance. Support under the programme is capped at €30,000 of Department funding per unit and has a particular focus on increasing the energy efficiency of the remediated units.

The programme is not a substitute for the normal responsibilities of local authorities for maintaining their social housing properties and, therefore, the standard end-of-lease maintenance they undertake will be sufficient in some cases to prepare a unit for early re-letting. Given the need to respond to waiting lists, it is important that the time taken to return vacant units is kept to the minimum.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.