Councils have 2,600 vacant homes

The Government has been accused of an “inexcusable” lack of leadership after it emerged that there are 2,600 vacant units across the country in council ownership, despite a mounting homelessness crisis.

Figures uncovered by Fianna Fáil spokesperson on environment and local government, Barry Cowen, found Cork City had the largest number of vacant council properties, at 424.

The information, gathered under Freedom of Information, also shows the vast majority of local authorities have cut back this year on the amount of money spent to refurbish properties, compared to 2014.