Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2025
76. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered the means by which his Department can assist local authorities in turning about casual vacancies in a more expeditious and cost-effective manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53570/25]
View answer111. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to reduce the time local authorities take in re-letting vacant homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53886/25]
View answer117. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the discussion he has had with local authorities regarding the vacant housing turnaround times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53576/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 111 and 117 together.
The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure all their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.
My Department provides annual funding support to local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-let under the Voids Programme. This funding is provided to support local authorities in their efforts to manage their housing stock efficiently and is in addition to funding from the local authorities own resources.
The emphasis of the programme is on those refurbishment works necessary to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times. Works which may be desirable, but which are not required to comply with the aforementioned regulations at the time of vacancy should be deferred and carried out under planned maintenance, over the life cycle of the asset. Where a local authority chooses to do works over and above those which are necessary to comply with the rental standards it can impact re-let times and result in additional costs for the local authority.
I met with the local authority Chief Executives and Directors of Housing earlier this year at a Housing Summit, where the issue of vacancy and allocation of housing was addressed. As part of the Programme for Government, consideration is being given to the introduction of a new Voids Programme with a view to further improving turnaround times of vacant social housing units. I and my Department will continue to engage with the sector on this important issue.
