The Department of Environment is planning a "use it or lose it" policy with regard to properties which are lying idle.

Sinn Féin has welcomed the plans however the party believes more could be done.

Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD said: "This is a welcome step. Our towns and cities are blighted by vacant sites or disused building which have been left to rot. It is about time we took some measures to rejuvenate our communities by forcing developers and property owners to make use of their assets. But unfortunately the policy is only a tiny step in the right direction and much more could be done.

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"The government's plans would require planning permission applicants for housing developments of 10 houses or more to provide a development schedule. If by this date the development is not progressed in line with the schedule, the planning permission can be modified or reduced. This is an improvement but not strong enough at all."

(CD/IT)