FG claims half of all IDA property is lying idle

Fine Gael is claiming that almost half of all property owned by the Industrial Development Agency is lying idle.

The party says around 42% of IDA properties are currently vacant and could be used for school sites, social and affordable housing and other purposes.

The vacant units are in Cork and Dublin and are leased from private landlords.

Fine Gael TD Leo Varadkar is calling for a complete survey of the IDA's property portfolio to see if any of the lands could be used for alternative purposes.