273. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of WTE vacant homes officers employed, by local authority, in tabular form. [54179/26]

Working to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.

A number of structures have been established to support local authorities to tackle vacancy and dereliction.  There are currently 31 WTE Vacant Homes Officers in place as a key point of contact in their Vacant Homes Office, with annual funding of €60,000 provided to each local authority by my Department. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction.

Vacant Homes Officers are supported in their role by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, the Housing Agency and through the Vacant Homes Officer Network.

My Department has also provided €180,000 to each local authority to support processing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications. Technical and legal support is also available to support local authorities in administering the grant through the Housing Agency.

Delivering Homes, Building Communities committed to increasing funding for local authorities to support the administration of the grant, with up to an additional €100,000 being made available to each local authority per annum. My Department wrote to all local authorities in April 2026 to advise them of the process for draw down of this additional funding, the amount of which will be based on submitted business case from each local authority.

A network of 26 Town Regeneration Officers (TROs) has also been established, working with wider local authority teams focused on town centre regeneration, supported by a National Town Centre First Office. Town Regeneration Officers are funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

My Department has also made funding for staff resources available to local authorities as part of Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, to support their work tackling vacancy/ dereliction.

Tackling vacancy and dereliction requires co-ordination of activity within local authorities, and Vacant Homes Officers are working with Town Regeneration Officers, Derelict Sites Teams and other relevant teams to ensure a planned and proactive approach with measurement of outcomes. This is occurring in local authorities, with reorganisation of staff resources and establishment of structures to support co-ordination.

The Housing Plan's new measures build on the significant work that has been done and outcomes achieved over the past number of years, as well as improving and expanding existing schemes. These initiatives are working and vacancy levels are declining across the country.

I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.