Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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369. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the local authorities that have a full-time vacant homes officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9719/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that it is increasing the funding made available since 2018 from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum from mid-2022 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a vacant homes officer to support the commitment in Housing for All to ensuring that vacant homes officers are full-time officers. Local authorities have been requested to arrange for the vacant homes officer position to become full-time by the end of Q2 2022 and to notify my Department accordingly. My Department understands that there are currently 3 full-time vacant homes officers in Clare and Kerry County Councils, and Dublin City Council, respectively.

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.