Tackling dereliction depends on councils having 'fire in their bellies'

Long-time vacancy and dereliction campaigners have given a positive if cautious welcome to Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien's €150m injection into the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for local authorities to tackle vacant and derelict buildings in their areas. File picture: Larry Cummins

Tackling dereliction now depends on whether local authorities "have fire in the bellies" to get to grips with it, after a €150m national fund was provided to tackle the scourge.

Long-time vacancy and dereliction campaigners have given a positive if cautious welcome to Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien's €150m injection into the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for local authorities to tackle vacant and derelict buildings in their areas.