Problematic 'ghost housing estates' that are lying empty and unfinished are to be targeted by a new co-ordination group.

Minister of State for Housing and Planning Willie Penrose said that the new national body is be established within weeks to oversee action by local authorities in dealing

Addressing the Irish Planning Institute's annual conference in Galway, he said one of his top priorities was that "clear, decisive and proactive actions are taken to progressively resolve the issues with unfinished housing developments".

The Dáil has more than one interest the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) has around one tenth of about 150 of the worst ghost estates.

-- Advertisement --

These are unfinished and pose health and many safety issues - among other problems - and most require fresh investment to reach completion as they were financed by the non-Irish banks operating in Ireland.

A report by the previously established Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, made up of community, central and local government, professional banking, construction representatives, and planners, is also due to be published soon.

Minister Penrose, who is to Chair the co-ordination group, said his officials were already "working hard on innovative ways to find positive uses for vacant housing, including the leasing or purchase of units from Nama" for families on local authority waiting lists.

Mr Penrose said the planning system should be "focusing demand in a way that will rekindle market interest in stalled developments", while the 'core strategy' approach that must now be adopted would help rationalise the 'excessive zoning' of recent years.

(BMcC/GK)