Labour TD Joe Costello has welcomed the €91 million investment in housing.

Environment Minister, Alan Kelly, made the announcement on Thursday, and said the funding will be used to make more social housing available, improve housing for older people and people with disabilities and retrofit homes to improve energy efficiency.

Mr Costello said: "More than 1,000 vacant social housing units will be refurbished and tenanted by people on the social housing waiting list at a cost of over €20 million. In Dublin City Council, 234 homes will be refurbished at a cost of almost €4.5 million. It is unacceptable to have houses boarded up when there are so many people desperate for a home of their own. his funding will help ensure that existing social housing is available to those who need it.

-- Advertisement --

"Secondly, for 2015 almost €6.3 million has been allocated to the Dublin City Council area for Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability. These grants are used to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to people’s homes, such as installing ramps and stair lifts, modifying bathrooms and building extensions. With these grants, older people and people with a disability will be able complete work to their home that will improve their quality of life and allow them to lead independent lives.

"Thirdly, for 2015 more than €1m has been allocated to Dublin City Council for Home Adaptation and Extension works for local authority tenants. "

(CD/MH)