Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

480. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government The number of full-time equivalent vacant homes officers by local authority in tabular form. [29018/22]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

481. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 742 of 21 April 2021, the current funding provided for vacant homes officers in each local authority in tabular form; and the proposed changes from after June as referenced in the reply. [29019/22]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 481 together.

My Department understand that in 2021 there were in the region of 3 full-time and 34 part-time vacant homes officers working in local authorities. 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 ensure that vacant homes officers are full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of vacant homes officers, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.

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. I expect that each local authority will have at least one full-time vacant homes officer working in their local authority. Local authorities are continuing with the process of the delivery of the Vacant Homes Officer position on a full-time basis. As this process is ongoing, I will have a full position from local authorities following the delivery timeframe of the end of June. In addition, local authority claims for the increased provision of €60,000 will commence thereafter.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

482. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether the vacant homes schemes and policies are sufficient in addressing the vacant homes issue. [29020/22]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

484. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the most recent update provided to him regarding the number of homes applied for through the vacant homes scheme by local authority in tabular form. [29022/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 484 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 97 of 1 June 2022.

Housing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum. I am satisfied that the suite of measures under the pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock will prove effective in comprehensively addressing vacant homes issues.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

483. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of properties in counties Longford and Westmeath that are registered on vacanthomes.ie that have been returned to use. [29021/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The information requested is not available in my Department. Local authorities are best placed to identify and collate information on vacant properties returned to residential use in their administrative area. The vacanthomes.ie website has been developed by Mayo County Council on behalf of the local government sector to assist local authorities in recording levels of vacancy.  The website provides a central portal for individuals to anonymously log possible vacant properties and alert local authorities who can then follow up with the owners to see whether the property can be used for residential purposes. The information contact details on the website is through either a form on its contact page or using the email info@vacanthomes.ie.