€5m fund to clean up ‘ghost estates’

SOME of the country’s most dangerous “ghost estates” are due to be cleaned up over the next few months as a result of an initiative which will enable local authorities carry out critical work to ensure the public’s safety.

Housing Minster Michael Finneran announced that 348 of the worst “ghost estates” are to benefit from a special €5 million fund to be used for the purpose of securing dangerous sites as well as completing footpaths and street lighting on unfinished housing developments.

All the estates earmarked to benefit from the fund are less than 50% occupied and account for up to 8,000 houses and apartments.