COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 12, 2024

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor D. Ó Brádaigh

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a list of all vacant homes in the county since recent survey work was undertaken, detailing how many have been brought back into use using department funding, how many are anticipated to be from this list including a timeline, and the cost of doing so?

REPLY:

There are currently 59 homes included on the Vacant Homes Register. Due to obligations under Data Protection legislation and security concerns the Council does not publish the individual addresses of the properties. The ownership of the properties identified is being investigated with a view to engaging with owners to bring the properties back into productive use including with the assistance of the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Homes Grant, SEAI energy efficiency grants or the repair and Leasing Scheme.  Phase 1 of a county-wide survey of potential vacant properties in conjunction with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage was carried out during 2023. 632 properties were surveyed, these properties were a mix of residential and commercial buildings. The outcome of the Phase 1 survey was as follows: 

Status    Number of Properties   
Vacant    258  
Derelict    12  
Occupied    357  
Unknown    5  

Of the 258 properties that were found to be vacant as a result of this survey, further investigation is necessary to determine whether additional properties can be added to the Vacant Homes Register. Phase 2 of the survey has now been replaced by the CPO Activation Programme which provides for a planned, systematic and proactive approach by local authorities to bringing vacant and derelict properties into use.

The Council has received an initial allocation of €1.2 million to fund acquisitions under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) Round 3 funding to activate long term vacant and derelict buildings. Following the Phase 1 survey carried out in 2023, a proposed list of seven properties have been identified and targeted for acquisition/refurbishment under this funding stream and have been submitted to the DHLGH for approval.