The HSE must explain why it is sitting on more than 200 vacant properties in the middle of a housing crisis, according to Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan.
Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said:
“With almost 15,000 people – including over 4,600 children – set to wake up on Christmas Day in homeless emergency accommodation, it is unconscionable for State bodies such as the HSE to have vacant properties on their books that could potentially be repurposed as badly needed homes.
“While thousands of lives are being devastated by the ongoing housing disaster, an internal audit has revealed that the HSE had 205 properties in their possession as of last April.
“The HSE must outline why they are sitting on these properties and if any plans have been drawn up to sell or repurpose them.
“It also raises the wider question of how many vacant properties owned by State bodies are lying empty around the country.
“In addition to introducing a vacant property tax with teeth, the next government must carry out a full audit of any empty public buildings or offices that could be handed over to the Land Development Agency or local authorities to deliver social or affordable homes.”
December 17, 2024