Written answers

Thursday, 2 March 2017

Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Photo of Mary ButlerMary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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111. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of voids in Waterford City and County Council that are currently under refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10864/17]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Local authorities including Waterford City and County Council have recently submitted the list of properties, they wish to be included in the 2017 Voids Programme. These units are currently been assessed and I expect to announce details shortly of the 2017 funding for local authorities to address vacant social housing stock, including the breakdown of the targets and funding for each local authority. Local authorities have been advised that they should not delay in carrying out the necessary refurbishment works on eligible units while waiting for the assessment and allocations.

It should be noted that over the period 2014-2016, my Department provided funding of over €1.8 million to bring a total of 181 Void units in Waterford back into use. This Deputy will, of course, be aware that the Voids Programme is separate from any other refurbishment works that Waterford City and Council may undertake from their own resources.

Photo of Mary ButlerMary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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112. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the current turnaround time of voids in each of the 31 local authorities; if he is satisfied with these times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10865/17]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The information on the turnaround time for voids is not collected by my Department. However the key objective of the Voids Programme is aimed at minimising the turnaround and re let time of vacant units and returning them to use in a very energy efficient condition. Since the commencement of the Voids Programme in 2014 over 7,100 vacant social housing units have been returned to productive use. This figure does not include units which are returned by local authorities through funding from their own resources.

In the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessnesscommitments are set out in line with best asset management practices, which will see all local authorities operating to a national re-letting performance standard and greater use of a preventative maintenance approach to housing stock management.

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