Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

111. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps being taken to ensure that the position of derelict sites officer is full-time in each local authority; the number of derelict sites officers employed in each local authority; if they are employed in a part-time or full-time capacity in tabular form; the guidance and or circulars issued by his Department to local authorities relating to the employment of derelict sites officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3280/22]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

146. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure that the position of vacant sites officer is full-time in each local authority; the number of vacant sites officers employed in each local authority; if they are employed in a part-time or full-time capacity in tabular form; the guidance and or circulars issued by his Department to local authorities relating to the employment of vacant sites officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3279/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 146 together.

Since 2018, my Department has made funding of €50,000 per annum available to each local authority to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a vacant homes officer. Housing for All commits to ensuring that vacant homes officers are full-time officers. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.

In October 2021, my Department communicated with each local authority on the continuation of this funding into 2022 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office supporting local authorities funding of a vacant homes officer.

My Department has now communicated further with local authorities regarding making the Vacant Homes Officers a full-time position to focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction to support the regeneration of town centres.

The status position on vacant homes officers in local authorities is set out in the table below.

Table of Vacant Homes Officers in Local Authorities