Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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309. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when a person (details supplied) who wrote to his Department on 11 January 2023 can expect a substantive report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8483/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The correspondence referred to in the question concerns the need to bring vacant buildings and homes back into use. My Department is leading a number of initiatives in this area, both in general terms and as part of the Government response to the invasion of Ukraine and the consequential humanitarian situation.

On 30 January, I launched the Vacant Homes Action Plan. The Plan outlines the progress that has been made in implementing actions to address vacancy and make efficient use of existing stock, contained in Housing for All. It also identifies the actions to be pursued in order to continue to return as many vacant properties back to viable use as possible, increase the supply of housing available, and revitalise the vibrancy of local communities. A copy of the Vacant Homes Action Plan can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/

With regard to grant assistance, in July 2022, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from 15 November 2022. A grant of up to €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence. Where a property is derelict, a top up grant of €20,000 is available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to €50,000.

As part of the whole of Government humanitarian response to the invasion of Ukraine, my Department has taken responsibility for two specific elements targeting vacant properties. One of these measures is the Offer a Home scheme, a call for unoccupied homes, which is being led by local authorities, with oversight from my Department. The campaign is part of an initiative to make use of unoccupied houses, apartments or holiday homes to house Ukrainian people and families. Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting the local authority in which their property is located.

As well as this, my Department is leading the Emergency Refurbishment Programme, which seeks to bring vacant multi-occupancy buildings back into use. Some months ago, local authorities were asked by government to identify vacant multi-occupancy properties within their areas that had the potential to be used for accommodation for those arriving from Ukraine. These units were to include units in good or bad condition and were not limited to local authority owned buildings; privately owned buildings such as disused banks, holiday homes, disused hotels, defence force buildings, religious order buildings etc. were to be considered. Any building identified as part of this process which did not require refurbishment was notified to the Department of Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth in its capacity as lead Department for the provision of accommodation and related supports to beneficiaries of temporary protection. Buildings requiring refurbishment, once suitable and available, are considered, in conjunction with local authorities and building owners, for inclusion in the refurbishment programme.