European Parliamentary candidate Peter Casey has called for action to tackle abandoned houses across Donegal.
According to figures from the Central Statistics Office, the county has almost 12,000 vacant houses.
Mr Casey says the government and local authorities should develop initiatives “take over vacant houses that have clearly been abandoned” to provide much-needed housing stock.
“Donegal has a staggering number of vacant houses across the county. It’s sickening to read that there are almost 30 people registered as homeless in a county with more than 11,700 properties lying empty. A small fraction of that number would be more than enough to cater for the homeless or those facing homelessness in the county.
“That there is a housing crisis with such soaring vacancy rates in Donegal defies belief. What we have in Donegal and throughout rural Ireland is a crisis with houses – it is time to tackle this crisis.
“We need to take over vacant houses that have clearly been abandoned. The government should give the owners 12 months to face up to their responsibilities and rent or sell them. If owners do not comply, the government should be empowered to auction off the properties with owners receiving the net proceeds.
“There are abandoned houses all over rural Ireland which are falling into disrepair – some sitting idle for up to ten years. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
