Incentives may bring 40k houses into use

Paddy Mulhearne, Laura Kirwan and Susan Veale of the Social Enterprise Group stand next to the derelict Wollen Mills building just off Main Street, Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford. Picture Dan Linehan

At least 40,000 vacant houses could easily be brought back into use if the Government comes up with substantial financial incentives.

That's the view of architect Mel Reynolds who estimates that there are now 137,000 vacant houses around the country.