Written answers

Wednesday, 14 November 2018

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Local Authority Housing Data

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

88. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a comprehensive list of all unoccupied local authority properties in the Dublin city area is available; and if the time in which a local authority property stays with the maintenance section before being allocated will be expedited. [47107/18]

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

Statistics in relation to vacant social housing homes are compiled by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in its annual reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These statistics are set out on a local authority basis and include the percentage of total local authority dwellings that were vacant at the time of the review by NOAC, with the most recent report relating to 2017. This report is available on the NOAC website at the following link: .

It should be noted that my Department does not hold information on the number of vacant or void local authority houses at any point in time. Local authorities, however, are actively encouraged to ensure that all vacant properties are brought back into active use as expeditiously as possible. While my Department provides exchequer funding to local authorities to support eligible capital improvements to local authority housing, including through the Voids and Energy Efficiency Programmes, 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 in the first instance. This includes the implementation of planned maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive and pre-letting repairs. It is a matter for the local authority, in this case Dublin City Council, to manage the maintenance and subsequent allocation of their properties.

In relation to Dublin City Council, I understand that it maintains a list of unoccupied local authority properties and provides specific information on these properties to Elected Representatives and on a regular basis at its monthly meetings and Area Committee meetings.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.