Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

190. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the 9,113 voids, derelicts and 2 into 1s that have been delivered under the voids programme by length of time vacant (details supplied). [3615/18]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

191. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the 9,113 voids, derelicts and 2 into 1s that have been delivered under the voids programme that cost amounts (details supplied). [3616/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together.

Between 2014 and 2017, some 9,227 vacant units were returned to productive use. Details on the number of voids, derelicts and 2 into 1s brought back into use are set out in the table below. The purpose of the voids programme is to ensure that vacant units are actively targeted and returned to productive use as quickly as possible.  Without substantial refurbishment under construction contracts, social homes would have been left vacant and not part of the active social housing stock.  Therefore funding the refurbishment and bringing units back into active use means that households who would otherwise not have been housed, can actually be accommodated.

Voids are not classified by the length of time they are vacant.  The programme is also designed to support the bringing back into use of units that would likely remain vacant for a significant period of time because the cost of the scale of works required could not be met by the local authority.  It is a matter for each local authority to determine suitable properties for inclusion in the programmes.

Under the voids programme, local authorities can claim a maximum of €30,000 funding per unit.  However, should they wish to do so, local authorities may also contribute funding from their own resources to complete these works.  The derelicts and 2 into 1 programmes require greater levels of remediation with associated higher costs, in excess of the limits as set out in the voids programme.  Some 96% of the units refurbished cost €30,000 or less. 

Under Rebuilding Ireland, the target under the voids programmes for 2016 to 2021 is 3,459.  The number of units that require significant refurbishment is reducing with the target for 2021 set at 170.  It is envisaged that these programmes will diminish over time with the local authorities addressing future vacant units that arise through their own planned maintenance programmes.  However, it is expected that there will always be some need for voids funding and it is important that it is continued to meet demand to avoid the situation where pre 2014, there was a build up of vacant units awaiting repair.

Voids Data 2014 to 2017: incorporating Voids, Derelicts and 2 into 1 Programmes

Voids Data 2014 to 2017: incorporating Voids, Derelicts and 2 into 1 Programmesctg.