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AN announcement of €1,170,000 in funding for the refurbishment and re-letting of 78 vacant social homes in Kerry this year has been made this afternoon by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien.
As a result of the funding made available to Kerry County Council, there will be refurbishment of 70 standard units and eight non-standard units to bring these properties on stream.
Under the scheme up to €11,000 will be made available per property for the refurbishment of a standard vacant unit.
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Recognising that a small number of homes which are vacant do require significant investment to bring them back into use, local authorities can recoup an average of €50,000 per property for up to 10% of their vacant stock.
Minister for Education Norma Foley and Deputy Brendan Griffin have welcomed the news.
“Housing is a key priority for Government and the refurbishment and re-letting of vacant social housing stock is vitally important in this regard. This money will also provide a much needed boost to the local builders, carpenters, painters and electricians who will carry out these upgrades,” said Minister Foley.
“With the chronic shortage of housing it is more important than ever to have vacant social housing refurbished and reallocated as quickly as possible,” said Deputy Griffin.
