Ending long-term vacant homes and dereliction - €6 million allocated to Kilkenny

An announcement that Co. Kilkenny will receive €6 million from a fund to end long-term vacancy and dereliction has been welcomed in the county.

The fund aims to transform locations across the country, promote vibrant communities in our urban centres and provide more homes where people can live close to local services and amenities.

Announced by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD as part of the quarterly Housing for All progress update, the funding will be available to Kilkenny County Council under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) and will act as a revolving fund meaning it can be replenished and used into the future

Limerick flags flying high in Kilkenny City?

“Today we are announcing details of a fund to specifically tackle long term vacancy and dereliction within towns and cities. This fund will help restore the urban heart of many of our communities, including those in Kilkenny. It will also provide more homes in urban centres where people can live close to local services, amenities and employment and, indeed, has the potential to be truly transformative," Minister O’Brien said.

WATCH: Delaney family keep Kilkenny house tradition alive ahead of All-Ireland Hurling Final

“This Government has consistently said we will use every tool in our armoury to get to grips with our housing challenges and that is exactly what we are doing. Through this fund we will increase the pace at which vacant and derelict buildings are brought back into productive use as new homes for people.”

This fund complements a number of measures to tackle vacancy within Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan for Ireland which is available at www.gov.ie/housingforall. The plan’s overall objective is: ‘Everyone in the State should have access to a home to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard and in the right place, offering a high quality of life.”

North Kilkenny's Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick has welcomed "this much needed regeneration funding, which will help to tackle the long term vacancies and dereliction ensuring  the acceleration of more residential  accommodation." 

Sweeney - a special song cycle inspired by Seamus Heaney at Kilkenny Arts Festival

The funding has also been welcomed by Deputy John McGuinness. “I’m delighted that my colleague Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has allocated €6 million to tackle vacancy and dereliction in Kilkenny. This will allow vacant properties to be brought back into use and create new homes.  

“It's hugely positive as not only will it remove derelict properties which are eyesores in our towns and villages, it will give people the opportunity to live and participate in their local communities making them more vibrant in the process.”