Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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1066. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there are plans to increase funding to Cork County Council to address vacancy and dereliction in towns such as Mallow and Blackpool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58974/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Addressing vacancy and dereliction is a key priority for Government.

The Vacant Homes Action Plan, published in January 2023, set out the various actions 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/

Under Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), Government established a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties, using their compulsory purchase powers where necessary. Cork County Council have been allocated €8 million to tackle long term vacant and derelict properties in their URDF areas, including Mallow.

My Department has also made funding for staff resources available to local authorities as part of URDF Call 3, to support their work tackling vacancy and dereliction.

My Department also supports local authorities, with funding available under the Social Housing Investment Programme to acquire and redevelop vacant and derelict buildings, from single properties to more extensive buildings, for use as social housing.

All 31 local authorities have a full-time Vacant Homes Officer in place as a key point of contact in their Vacant Homes Office teams. My Department provides annual funding of €60,000 to each local authority to reinforce their capacity to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction.

Tackling vacancy and dereliction requires co-ordination of activity within local authorities, and Vacant Homes Officers are working with Town Regeneration Officers, Derelict Sites Teams and other relevant teams to ensure a planned and proactive approach with measurement of outcomes. This is occurring in local authorities, with reorganisation of staff resources and establishment of structures to support co-ordination.

Vacant Homes Officers are supported in their role by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, the Housing Agency and through the Vacant Homes Officer Network.

The new Programme for Government, "Securing Ireland’s Future", includes a range of commitments to continue our work in tackling vacancy and dereliction and supporting town centre living. These measures are currently being considered in the context of the forthcoming National Housing Plan.

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 across the country.