Councils under fire over state of housing

Local authorities are facing a dressing-down from the housing minister for leaving thousands of homes lying idle while housing waiting lists remain at crisis levels.

Jan O’Sullivan is providing funds to refurbish 952 local authority dwellings that have fallen into disrepair while vacant, in order that they can be re-let.

The breakdown of the €15m grants scheme was revealed yesterday, with the largest sums going to Dublin City Council for the repair of 135 homes; Cork City Council, 94 homes; Fingal County Council, 95; and Cork County Council, 68.