COMHAIRLE CHONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 11, 2006

QUESTION No. 9

QUESTION: Councillor C. King

To ask the Manager, to report on the possibility of providing additional resources to tackling the issue of vacant/boarded up houses through out the County as the numbers of such units has increased significantly each year for the past three years despite the trojan work carried out on an ongoing basis by the staff of the various depots. This matter is raised fully understanding the various reasons for the delay in re-allocating units and that it is not necessary to state these reasons again?

REPLY

The Member is referred to previous reports in relation to this matter and will understand the effect of the causes of the delays. The Member will be aware that the solution to this problem is a combination of changes from both the Housing Maintenance and Allocations perspectives. The changes already implemented on the Maintenance side have improved matters, however, the full impact cannot be assessed fully until such time as the changes under the new Scheme of Letting Priorities have been implemented.

It would not be appropriate, therefore, to allocate additional resources at this time.

The Housing Department has reviewed it practices and procedures to ensure that new arrangements are in place that will facilitate immediate implementation of the new Scheme on receipt of the Minister's approval. The Housing Department has been in contact with the Department in recent days and is advised that the approval for the Scheme is imminent.