Government's vacant housing unit has just one full-time staff member

The vacant homes unit was tasked to work with the CSO, local councils and the Housing Agency to gather data on vacant homes, to identify vacancy hotspots, especially in areas where there is a high demand for homes, and to bring vacant or under-utilised houses back into use. File picture: Larry Cummins

There is just one full-time staff member in the Government’s vacant homes unit (VHU) — down from three since it was set up five years ago.

The revelation has been branded “scandalous” by Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould, who has called on Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to immediately bolster the unit with more staff.