COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 10, 2021

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor David McManus

To ask the Chief Executive on progress made by the Vacant Homes Officer to help bring vacant homes back into use within the area of South Dublin County Council in recent years?

REPLY:

The Council has a Vacant Homes Officer assigned to investigating reports of vacant homes. Seven new potential vacant homes have been reported to date in 2021.  During the period 2020 to 2021 a total of thirty-eight properties reported as vacant have been investigated.  All properties reported to the Council are inspected and checks are undertaken through land registry and various other sources to establish ownership.

Upon investigation and where ownership is established, the majority of properties reported as vacant actually either have occupiers, are currently in the process of being sold/renovated or are subject to probate/receivership processes.  The status of each property is then reviewed on an ongoing basis with owners are encouraged to engage with the Council and find solutions for any genuinely vacant properties, but the Council does also has a range of legislative powers available to deal with under-utilised and derelict properties including under legislation pertaining to compulsory purchase and derelict sites.  In recent years, six properties have been vested by the Council under derelict sites legislation and this option will continue to be considered if alternative solutions are not arrived at to address the vacancy.

Initiatives in place to bring vacant properties back into use including the Repair and Leasing Scheme and the Buy and Renew Scheme as well as Long- Term Leasing, HAP and RAS options.

Potentially vacant homes can be reported for investigation through http://vacanthome.ie or directly to the Council.