Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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326. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will liaise with the Minister for Justice to make the probate system as fast and efficient as possible, given the number of properties removed from availability to tenants or purchasers by delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15414/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Addressing vacancy and maximising the use of existing housing stock is a primary objective of Government. Housing for All(September, 2021) and the Housing for All Action Plan Update (November, 2022) have the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes. Addressing vacancy is a key part of the strategy and and I work with my ministerial colleagues in delivering the actions set out in Pathway 4 on Addressing Vacancy and Efficient Use of Existing Stock, and in the Vacant Homes Action Plan (January, 2023).

A whole of Government approach has been adopted to the implementation of Housing for All, and in this regard, Action 21.3 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update provides that the Department of Justice will examine whether the probate process is causing delays to releasing supply of residential property and identify actions to address this, as appropriate. This action falls due for completion in Quarter 2 2023. Housing for All Progress Reports are published on a quarterly basis and are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/.