270. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Voids Programme is currently open for applications; the number of applications approved to date in 2026; and the overall amount provided, by local authority. [54151/26]

The management and maintenance of local authority social housing, including pre-letting repairs, is a matter for each individual local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities must also ensure all tenanted properties comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.

Notwithstanding, my Department will provide approximately €260 million towards the remediation and maintenance of local authority homes through a range of funding programmes this year. This includes €40 million under the Planned Maintenance and Voids Programme, comprising more than €24 million to support the refurbishment and re-letting of casually vacant homes and almost €16 million for stock condition surveys and associated planned maintenance works. The voids allocation should support the refurbishment and re-letting of at least 2,200 local authority homes during 2026.

Local authority allocations, including funding and the number of units expected to be returned to use, issued in March this year. Local authority progress will be reviewed in September. Subject to the availability of resources within the overall funding envelope, including any underspends by local authorities, my Department will consider opportunities to increase allocations where appropriate.

Work under the 2026 programme remains ongoing and it will be later in the year before a complete picture of funding drawdown and the number of units returned to use is available. A detailed breakdown by local authority will be published on my Department's website in early 2027.

Allocations per local authority and expected number of units to be returned to use by local authorities under the programme is set out in the table.