Liam Mannix: Impressive solutions being used to tackle Ireland's empty towns but more needed

A side street before heading into the Co. Tipperary town of Nenagh. The new national housing strategy calls for at least 2,500 vacant properties to be acquired over the next five years by local authorities via compulsory purchase orders. Picture: Caitlín Griffin

It is difficult to think of any town in Ireland that does not have a problem with dereliction. 

Even some of our most prosperous places have an excessive number of vacant buildings. This appears particularly baffling given the obvious economic potential.