Government 'missing opportunity' to increase social housing delivery

The Buy and Renew Scheme operates by allowing local authorities and approved housing bodies to buy up long-term vacant or derelict properties, which they can then refurbish and turn into social housing.

The Government is being accused of missing an opportunity to increase social housing delivery, as some local authorities restore miniscule amounts of vacant and derelict properties.

South Dublin County Council has failed to restore a single property through the Buy and Renew Scheme, which aims to turn vacant and derelict houses into social homes.