Westmeath is to to benefit to the tune of €220,000 to help turn 26 vacant housing units across the county into viable homes.
This was revealed by local Fine Gael TD James Bannon, after the outgoing Minister for Housing, Jan O’Sullivan announced that €15 million has been allocated nationally to bring 1,008 vacant local authority units into use.
“As we strive to meet the demands for more social housing, it is really important that we make sure all local authority units are fit for purpose. In recent years a high number of local authority homes have been left vacant and boarded up, which is a complete waste,” he said.
The Government will also allocate a further €150,000 to Longford County Council to allow work to be carried out on seven vacant properties.
The grant of €370,000 across the constituency will also help to sustain and create construction jobs locally.
So far this year, €30 million has been invested nationally on the refurbishment of vacant local authority houses.
“This programme will increase our social housing supply quickly and I look forward to the 33 units in Longford and Westmeath being completed within 12 months,” he concluded.
