Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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206. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of derelict buildings that have been brought back into circulation in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, broken down by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45244/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not have access to data on the number of derelict buildings which have been brought back into circulation during this period.

The preliminary findings of Census 2022 provided a figure of 166,752 vacant homes nationwide. This represents 7.8% of the housing stock. Studies suggest a properly functioning housing market will have a base vacancy rate for this reason and it is suggested that this rate is around 6%. The Census 2022 figures represent a 9% reduction overall on the Census 2016 vacant homes figure of approximately 183,000.

A survey methodology was previously developed by my Department in relation to locating vacant housing and carried out a pilot field-based survey across six local authorities in order to more accurately determine the levels of long-term, vacant but recoverable dwellings that could be re-introduced into the liveable housing stock. The pilot field-based survey indicated an average vacancy rate of 2.9% in the local authority areas surveyed.

My Department is currently reviewing opportunities to harness vacancy data. This will include working with the Vacant Homes Officer in each local authority to assess and monitor vacancy data locally, including potentially through field based surveys. This will add to the recent data provided through the preliminary analysis of the Local Property Tax (LPT) 2022 and Census 2022 data on vacancy in informing policy and scheme development to address vacancy.

Under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched on 14 July 2002 that provides grant funding to support the refurbishment of vacant properties in towns and villages where the level of vacancy/dereliction is high. There are two levels of grants being provided, a grant of up to €30,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and an additional top-up grant of up to €20,000 where a property is derelict. The operation of this scheme, which will be kept under review, will also provide the opportunity to gather data on vacant and derelict properties which are being brought back into use.