Written answers

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Local Authority Funding

Photo of Thomas GouldThomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1053. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding made available to local authorities in 2020 in terms of returning vacant housing units to council housing stock making them available for allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7454/20]

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

Under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, responsive repairs and implementing planned maintenance programmes, is a matter for each individual local authority. Since 2014, my Department has provided funding for this purpose through the Voids Programme.

In relation to allocations under the Voids Programme this year, a two stage approach is envisaged for voids funding in 2020, as follows;

1. An initial call for proposal for COVID-19 Voids funding for vacant units which are required for the emergency accommodation of social housing support qualified households arising from the need to prevent, limit, minimise or slow the spread of COVID-19. This call for proposals will issue this week.

2. A second call for proposals under the normal voids programme will issue when all emergency COVID-19 voids submissions have been processed.

Notwithstanding the absence of a formal voids allocation to date for 2020, local authorities are aware of the approach for this year and have been advised to push on with the remediation of vacant stock. The value of payments already made this year and claims on hand with my Department would confirm that local authorities are, as requested, pressing ahead with this important work.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.