Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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603. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of applications for renovation of houses under the Galway County Council voids programme; the number of these that were single houses on their own site as opposed to being in a housing estate; the date the application was received; when a decision will be made on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28021/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966 provides that the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock is a matter for each individual local authority. While my Department provides a measure of funding under the voids programme, to local authorities to assist them in bringing vacant local authority housing stock back to productive use, it does not grant permission to local authorities to refurbish properties. It is a matter for the local authority to determine whether and when they refurbish a property.

Earlier this year, local authorities submitted to my Department details of their work proposals and related funding requirements for the voids programme in 2018. In March, Galway County Council sought funding to bring some 40 units back to productive use.  My Department does not hold details on the individual houses including whether they are single houses on their own site or in a housing estate. The evaluation of the proposals from all local authorities, including Galway County Council, is currently being finalised and funding allocations will be confirmed to the local authorities shortly.