Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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1547. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of vacant residential properties across the State currently; the efforts that are being taken to address this issue; the estimated impact on housing supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42260/25]

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1633. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of vacant properties in County Waterford that could be repurposed for social housing; and the barriers that prevent their repurposing. [43709/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1547 and 1633 together.

Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.

The Vacant Homes Action Plan, published in January 2023, built on Pathway 4 and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. In March I published the 2025 Progress Report which shows the significant progress that is being made and it is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/.

Data in relation to vacant properties is available from a number of sources such as the CSO Census and GeoDirectory publications. In the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report for Q4 2024, the average vacancy rate across Ireland had dropped to 3.8%, the lowest rate recorded since 2013.

The CSO is also developing a publication which will provide information on the extent of residential vacancy in 2022 and 2023, with future regular publications also planned. The publications are based on patterns of residential electricity consumption using data provided to the CSO by the ESB.

My Department has also supported local authorities to collate data on vacant and derelict properties in their administrative areas. Almost all local authorities, including Waterford, now have a database of vacant properties which they can update on an ongoing basis. The database is not intended to be a comprehensive count of every vacant and derelict property in their administrative area. It is used by the local authority to engage with property owners and work with them to bring those properties back into use.

While varying levels and rates of vacancy are indicated in the different data sources, the overall trend is downwards and vacancy levels are reducing.

I firmly believe that the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions taken will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes and across the country.