Austin Macauley 28 September 2015

FOI request reveals 2,600 empty council homes across Ireland

Politicians in Ireland have demanded the country’s 2,600 empty local authority homes are put to use to tackle the ‘growing housing emergency’.

Fianna Fáil obtained a freedom of information request to reveal the extent to which councils are ‘sitting on vacant housing units’. It found the city of Cork has 424 empty properties alone while Dublin currently has more than 250.

The party called on local government minister Alan Kelly to take action rather than ‘making policy-on-the-hoof’.

‘It is sickening to think that there are a massive number of vacant housing units owned by local authorities sitting idle,’ said Barry Cowen, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on environment and local government.

‘This is at a time when social housing waiting lists are at historic highs and emergency homeless shelters are running out of space to accommodate the escalating crisis.

‘Minister Alan Kelly is continually trying to reassure the public that he has a plan for dealing with the housing crisis. However, the huge number of vacant housing units across the country shows that no such joint up plan exists. The minister is out of touch with the public considering his lacklustre response to the housing crisis to date. His lack of action is inexcusable.’

Black hole spending review image

Black hole spending review

Jonathan Werran, chief executive of Localis, reflects on what the Spending Review means for local government.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Portage Worker - SEND and Inclusion

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235
Term-time only (plus one week) – Temporary for 18 months Term-time only (plus one week) – Temporary for 12 months   We are recruiting Portage Workers Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£34,314 - £37,938 (pre-progression) / £39,513 - £43,693 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed their assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First Service. WHAT IS INVO Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Receptionist

Durham County Council
£24,404 to £25,183 pro rata p.a. Grade 3 (£12.64 to £13.05 per hour)
Casual as and when required opportunity is available Spennymoor Leisure Centre. WHAT IS INVOLVED? In this role you will professionally welcome custom Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Supervisory Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
2x Lunchtime Supervisory Assistant Vacancies Would you like to work with a group of wonderful children in order to help them to have a happy and sett Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Enhanced Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711?pro rata
Enhanced Teaching Assistant Grade 5     £25,584 - £27,711?pro rata Full time, Term Time Only + 2 Weeks Temporary – required from 1st September 2025 un Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner