Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

661. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason it is a requirement for local authority houses to remain empty for a period of six months before they can be re-allocated after a tenant has vacated the premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36431/15]

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

There is no requirement for local authority houses to remain empty for a period of six months before they can be reallocated after a tenant has vacated the premises. I expect that local authorities will re-let social housing units within the shortest possible time after they become vacant. In some cases, an amount of pre-letting refurbishment works may be necessary but these should be completed as soon as possible. Where the level of refurbishment required is greater, a local authority can seek support from my Department and I have directed that in such instances, funding is to be provided to support the authorities in returning all such eligible housing units to productive use as soon as possible.