A report published by TheJournal.ie today found that in 2025, just 99 derelict properties were acquired by local authorities across the entire State. Dublin City Council acquired just one property.
Dublin Central by-election candidate Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin condemned the abject failure of the Government and Dublin City Council to acquire derelict properties and for leaving people in homelessness and despair.
Ó Ceannabháin called for Government funding for Council acquisitions and for a “use it or lose it” policy on long-term vacant and derelict properties, including punitive €1,000 a month vacant property tax.
People Before Profit Dublin Central by-election candidate Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin said “On Friday the Department of Housing reported that the number of people living in emergency accommodation has reached a new high of 17,308, with 5,457 children among those in emergency accommodation.
“Ten per cent of homeless people living in emergency accommodation in the State are living in Gardiner Street in my constituency of Dublin Central. It is utterly shameful that they are living in emergency accommodation while surrounded by vacant and derelict properties.
“This abject failure is compounded by today’s revelation that Dublin City Council acquired just one derelict property in the entirety of 2025.
“People are in despair at escalating rent hikes and the possibility of being made homeless, while those in homelessness can see no way out. But the Government and Dublin City Council are taking no meaningful actions to address the deepening crisis.
“The Government must introduce a 'use it or lose it' policy on long-term vacant and derelict properties, including a punitive €1,000 a month vacant property tax.
“The Government must urgently provide funding so Dublin City Council can acquire and renovate vacant and derelict homes and convert vacant commercial buildings to provide thousands of additional social and affordable homes in Dublin.
“The housing crisis is not an inevitable fact of life. It is a manufactured, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael-driven crisis that is damaging so many lives. There must be a sea-change in housing policy to put people’s housing needs first.”