Almost 600 residential units are expected to come on stream in Cork when previously vacant and derelict properties benefit from €14m in urban regeneration funding provided to Cork’s two local authorities.
A funding allocation of €6m for Cork City Council from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund will be dedicated to purchasing and carrying out works at 58 derelict or vacant properties to make an estimated 279 residential units ready for sale.
A provision of €8m from the same fund for Cork County Council is expected to yield 274 residential units from 28 derelict or vacant buildings or sites.
The funding allocations were announced as a result of Call 3 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund which saw a total of €142.5m being distributed among the country’s 31 local authorities.
It will see a total of 5,406 residential units being provided from 1,224 derelict or vacant properties nationwide.
According to Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, who made the announcement, the Government had placed a huge emphasis on the regeneration and rejuvenation of towns all across the country.
“As I travel around Ireland, it’s heartening to see the impact of initiatives which are underway to transform towns and cities,” he said.
The allocations were welcomed by Cork North West Fianna Fáil TD Aindrias Moynihan, who said his party wanted vacant properties in cities, towns and villages across the country to become homes — giving people the opportunity to live and participate in their communities.
“My party colleagues and I have placed a huge emphasis on the regeneration and rejuvenation of towns and are committed to tackling the issue of vacant and derelict properties in our communities and increasing housing supply across the country,” he said.