Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1195.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider a fund for local authorities to draw down funding to complete housing estates after a certain period of time has passed, there is no bond left by the developer and the estate is unfinished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33458/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Due to the post-2008 crisis, numerous residential developments were left in an unfinished state throughout the country. In 2010, a multi-annual action programme on unfinished developments was established and was focused on finding solutions through collaboration between government, local authorities, NAMA, developers, receivers, Irish Water (now Uisce éireann), residents, funders and other stakeholders.

Since 2010, there has been a 98% reduction in the number of unfinished housing developments, from approximately 3,000 to 75.

Addressing vacancy and maximising the use of existing housing stock is a primary objective of Government, as demonstrated by the focus given to this priority area in Pathway 4 of the Government’s Housing for All plan. In this regard, Action 19.10 of Housing for All provides that local authorities will work with the appropriate stakeholders to resolve issues within estates still categorised as ‘unfinished’ with a view to minimising any vacancy levels. Future funding will be reviewed in this context.

The Vacant Homes Action Plan was launched on 30 January 2023. 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: