Over €2.2m to reactivate social homes in Cork from vacancy in 2026 – O’Shea

Investment of over €2.2m will bring more local authority homes back into use in Cork County, according to Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea.

Deputy O’Shea said that the Voids Programme Funding is making more efficient use of our existing housing stock, which will bring more homes back into active use in Cork County.

“The Voids Programme supports local authorities in making vacant homes ready for re-letting and works to tackle vacancy and dereliction to ensure vacant properties are re-used for housing.”

€40 million in allocations will be given to local authorities for 2026 to prepare approximately 2,200 local authority homes for re-letting. 

This is an increase of €9m (29%) compared to last year’s allocation. 

Deputy O’Shea continued: “Bringing vacant housing back into use across towns and villages is essential to help ease pressure on the existing housing stock. It will boost supply and deliver much-needed social homes, while rejuvenating our towns.

“No one wants to see empty buildings in their towns or villages that could be used as homes, so it’s fantastic to see these buildings being brought back into use here in Cork.

“I would like to thank Cork County Council for their hard work in returning these homes to use. The new vacancy and turnaround time targets will mean that properties spend less time empty and more time providing security and stability for people who need them most.”