Written answers

Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Vacant Properties

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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386. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of vacant homes that were brought back into use using the repair and lease scheme in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18244/22]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Data to end 2021 in relation to the number of dwellings delivered by each local authority under the Repair and Leasing scheme (RLS) is available on my Department's website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls

The Government's new Housing Plan, Housing for All, has committed to supporting local authorities to drive expanded take-up of the scheme.

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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387. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an update will be provided on the work of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to identify vacant houses and other appropriate locations for the housing of Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18257/22]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland as part of the EU response.

As part of its response, Government is providing accommodation through the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and is working closely with local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, to provide accommodation for Ukrainian arrivals in a variety of settings including:

- Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs;

- Accommodation pledged by the general public, which is being assessed for suitability;

- State-owned or private properties, which may be suitable for short-term accommodation;

- Religious properties; and

- Local authority community facilities

The Government is examining all options as part of its humanitarian response, including the accommodation issues arising in the short, medium and long-term and the responses to address these.

In this regard, my Department recently requested local authorities to identify and inventory potentially available ‘quick turn-around’, multi occupancy accommodation facilities. This includes properties that might already be configured, or which might need to be reconfigured, for multi-occupancy residential purposes.

There has been a strong response from local authorities to date and returns continue to be received and updated. My Department is currently collating these responses, which will be screened and validated for suitability for use as medium and longer-term residential accommodation in the coming weeks.

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