12 March 2014
- €15 million in funding being made available to renovate local authority houses.
I am delighted by the announcement of Minister O’Sullivan this week and am greatly encouraged, to see that renewed importance is being applied to social housing with an aim to developing a sustained level of living standards for all people. Given the scale of vacant local authority homes, particularly in the city, it is vital that Cork City Council and Cork County Council apply for this funding before the deadline of March 28 so that Cork can access its fair share of the money available.
Addressing the social housing problem has always been a main priority of this Government, and this is now being demonstrated. Today’s announcement of €15 million in funding will bring over 500 vacant properties into use.
This is part of a €68 million fund, which will also see the approximately 500 new homes built over the next two years, also giving a well needed boost to the construction sector within the country and getting people back to work. We need now for the local authorities to make sure they avail of this funding in order to ensure this much needed assistance is given to the most vulnerable in our society and are given the help they need.
Both Cork local authorities should submit detailed proposals that highlight the full extent of vacant properties. This funding is to benefit the many people on the housing list and will ensure that some of the housing stock is not left unnecessarily vacant. The Minister hopes to allocate these monies as soon as possible and timely applications by local authorities will assist in this process.