Empty property earmarked for homeless costing over €2m a year

An audit of Dublin City Council found that there was a high level of compliance in ensuring the providers of private emergency accommodation had gone through competitive procurement processes.

A property earmarked for homeless accommodation is costing over €2m a year even though no one is being housed there and it won’t be in use until mid-2027, a Government audit has found.

The Local Government Audit Service included the detail in its audit of Dublin City Council, finding that Avalon House in the city centre cost €2.3m in 2024 and €2.5m the year before even though it is unoccupied.