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: gov - Vacant Homes Action Plan 2023-2026 (www.gov.ie) www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/.
A number of structures have been established to support local authorities to tackle vacancy and dereliction. All 31 local authorities, including Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council, have a full-time Vacant Homes Officer in place as a key point of contact in their Vacancy and Dereliction teams, with annual funding of €60,000 provided to each local authority by my Department. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction.
A Vacant Homes Officer Network has been established, with national and regional meetings held, supported by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department and the Property Optimisation Unit in the Housing Agency. The Network supports the identification and sharing of best practice in addressing 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.
My Department has also provided €180,000 to each local authority to support processing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications. Technical and legal support is also available to support local authorities in administering the grant through the Housing Agency.
Additional funding for staff resources is available to local authorities as part of Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, which supports the acquisition of long term vacant and derelict properties by local authorities, including by using their compulsory purchase powers.
While my Department has a role in strategic workforce planning within the local government sector, Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
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.
