"Only 392 Homeowners Apply for Vacant Properties Refurbishment Grant - Government Need to Broaden the Criteria"

"Only 392 Homeowners Apply for Vacant Properties Refurbishment Grant - Government Need to Broaden the Criteria" - Tóibín

According to data released to the Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD, some 392 applications have been made for the Vacant Properties Refurbishment Grant. Speaking today, the Meath West TD said that the scheme should be extended to include all homeowners and must include local authorities.

Deputy Tóibín said: "Aontú has been campaigning to bring vacant properties back into the market for some time now. It is ridiculous that while we have over 10,000 people homeless in the State, there are over 160,000 vacant properties here too. When we look at the 2022 census findings and compare them with the 2016 census, we see that roughly 50,000 properties have remained vacant over those six years! This is a national scandal! News from the Minister for Housing that there have been less than 400 grant applications to refurbish vacant properties is very disappointing. Its hardly a drop in the ocean when it comes to fixing this housing crisis".

Deputy Tóibín continued: "The grant is very flawed - in that, according to the Minister's reply to Aontú, the grant appears to be only for people who own a vacant property which they intend to make their "principal primary residence". This means that homeowners cannot use the grant to help bring their property back into the rental market where we currently see a large demand and very low supply".

"The grant is being run through local authorities which is extraordinary given that many local authorities up and down the country are themselves the biggest culprits when it comes to the hoarding of vacant properties. The funding from central government for this scheme should be increased and provisions made so that local authorities can tap into the funding themselves so as to bring council-owned vacant properties back into use. There are tens of thousands of people currently on the housing waiting list in this country, and thousands of vacant properties which are currently owned by the State. People are sleeping on the streets, homeless hostels in many areas are full to capacity, and yet local authorities are sitting on vacant properties - it's unforgiveable!", concluded Deputy Tóibín.

CRIOCH

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.