Tipperary Labour councillor slams Government over vacancy and dereliction rates

Labour’s Cllr Fiona Bonfield has slammed the Government’s consistent failure to tackle vacancy and dereliction, as new reports reveal also 81,000 vacant premises across the country. With no accurate reporting system in place, the true scale of the crisis remains unknown. Cllr Bonfield is calling for urgent action to transform Ireland’s housing system and deliver secure, affordable homes in Tipperary and nationwide.

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Cllr Bonfield said: “The Government’s much-trumpeted Housing for All plan has failed on all counts. Homelessness is at record highs, rents are soaring, and house prices continue to rise. Meanwhile, 81,000+ premises sit vacant, and this is just what we know of – the true figure could be much higher.

“In Tipperary we see the impact of this failure every day. Homes are left empty while families struggle to find a place to live. The Government’s inaction on vacancy and dereliction is unacceptable. We need real action now to bring vacant properties back into use and deliver affordable housing for people in Tipperary and across the country.

“We in Labour have been calling for a comprehensive national survey and mapping exercise to provide an accurate database of vacant and derelict properties. Right now, we don’t even have the full picture.

“We’ve also been calling for the need for a properly resourced national plan to tackle dereliction. Local authorities must be empowered and funded to use Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) on properties left vacant for over three years. The current system is too slow and under-resourced – we need a streamlined process that delivers results.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have spent years talking about vacancy and dereliction, but the problem has only worsened. It’s time for practical, realistic progress. The Government must provide local authorities with the funding and staff they need to tackle vacancy, fast-track CPOs, and turn empty buildings into homes. We cannot wait any longer.”