Just three councils have 'key' vacant housing officers

Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government & Planning Peter Burke said the Housing for All plan includes a commitment  to ensure that the Vacant Homes Officers based in local authorities are all full-time posts. Photo: Michael O'Sullivan

Just three local authorities have a full-time vacant homes officer despite the Department of Housing saying the officers play a 'key' role in ensuring housing provision.

Since 2018, the Department of Housing has provided €50,000 per year to each local authority to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer. Yet just three local authorities, Clare, Dublin city and Galway county have allocated a full-time vacant homes officer.