The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, promised he would bring forward a report on vacant houses. There are almost 200,000 vacant housing units across the country. Recent statistics have shown that there has been no let-up in the housing crisis and that there has been an increase in the number of people who are homeless. It is urgent that we address this issue, get to the bottom of how and why there are so many vacant units and discover whether any of these can be utilised. In light of the fact that urgent action is needed, when will this long-overdue report be issued?

I understand that work on the programme is ongoing. This has not stopped the Minister taking action, however. He has put in place an initiative to bring vacant properties back into use. I see from today’s newspaper that six different areas in Dublin city have been identified and the council is engaging with voluntary housing agencies to undertake this work in order that housing might be delivered. There is tangible work going on in this area.