Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Andrew Doyle, has today (Wednesday), welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Housing and Planning that 13 vacant Wicklow homes are to be brought back into use within twelve months. Deputy Doyle said the announcement and allocated funding will allow vacant units to be turned into homes.
Deputy Andrew Doyle said, “€280,000 is to be spent to upgrade 13 vacant properties in Wicklow. On average €21,538, will be spent on each. These houses, which up until now have been boarded up and unused, will be refurbished and improved, making them into much needed family homes.”
“For a long time now I have been calling for the Wicklow County Council’s vacant units to be refurbished and put back into use. With increasing demands for social housing, it is really important that we make sure all local authority units are fit for purpose. In recent years a high number of local authority homes in County Wicklow have been left vacant and boarded up, which is a complete waste.”
“A shortage of social housing is a real problem in Wicklow with hundreds of people who are in real need on waiting lists. It is really important that we make sure all local authority units are fit for purpose and it makes sense that local authority homes that have been left vacant are brought into use.”
Deputy Doyle continued, “€280,000 is a very significant figure and it will go a long way in getting families into new homes as soon as possible. In addition, this investment will help to sustain and create construction jobs locally.
“Boarded up houses, as well as being a complete waste of resources, are unsightly and often a target for anti-social behaviour. I am very pleased that this money will make these homes available and I believe it is particularly positive that this will happen within twelve months.”
“Providing social housing is a priority for the Government and the funding announced today is part of a year-long campaign that will see €30 million invested. In April 2014 €15 million was allocated to kickstart the refurbishment of vacant local authority houses and today a further €15 million has been allocated”, concluded Deputy Doyle.