Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
146. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce regulations setting a minimum timeframe for local authorities to ensure that casual vacancies in social housing are re-let or occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37529/26]
View answerThe management, maintenance and allocation of social homes are matters entirely for local authorities, with a range of legislation setting out local authority responsibilities in this regard.
Under s.58 of the Housing Act, 1966 the management and maintenance of local authority social housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each local authority and homes must comply with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. In respect of allocations, s.22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 requires housing authorities to establish an allocation scheme that determines the order of priority for letting available dwellings. I believe further regulation in this area would overly restrict local authority flexibility to respond to local circumstances.
Instead therefore of imposing additional regulations on local authorities I am instead seeking to reward and incentivise better performance. I recently advised local authorities of revised arrangements under my Department's Planned Maintenance and Voids Programme, which will effectively link the funding available to improved stock management efficiency. These arrangements will incentivise lower vacancy levels in local authority housing, support quicker re-letting of homes, and encourage increased investment in maintenance and management of these homes. The new arrangements will apply initially to Planned Maintenance funding from 2027, followed by Voids funding from 2028. The new approach has been tailored to the help ensure that the current average national vacancy rate of 2.75% will fall below 2% and that the current average national turnaround time falls from 35.56 weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks.
In parallel, my Department has been working with local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to identify ways to reduce the time taken to allocate and tenant social homes. Engagement and analysis with stakeholders has highlighted a range of factors that can affect vacancy durations. Standardising procedures based on established good practice offers the greatest opportunity to improve efficiency across the allocation process and minimise vacancies. To support this, my Department, in collaboration with local authorities and the Housing Agency, has recently issued updated guidance aimed at embedding best practice and strengthening data collection and reporting.
