Govt releases €15m to renovate 500 vacant council houses

The Government has made €15m in funding available to renovate vacant council houses.

Local authorities are being asked to submit their proposals for funding under the scheme by March 28.

Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, says the money will bring up to 500 vacant local authority units back into use this year.

It is understood jobs in the building and green energy sectors in local communities will also be created as councils will be encouraged to use the services of community-based organisations who recruit and train long-term unemployed people for some of the required works.