Social Democrats has called for explanations from the Health Service Executive (HSE) as to why it has over 200 vacant properties in the midst of Ireland's housing crisis.

The party's deputy leader and housing spokesperson, Cian O'Callaghan stated that it is "unconscionable for State bodies such as the HSE to have vacant properties on their books that could potentially be repurposed as badly needed homes," especially when almost 15,000 people, including over 4,000 children, will wake up on Christmas Day in homeless emergency accommodation.

-- Advertisement --

Deputy O’Callaghan said: "While thousands of lives are being devastated by the ongoing housing disaster, an internal audit has revealed that the HSE had 205 properties in their possession as of last April.

"The HSE must outline why they are sitting on these properties and if any plans have been drawn up to sell or repurpose them.

"It also raises the wider question of how many vacant properties owned by State bodies are lying empty around the country."

He added: "In addition to introducing a vacant property tax with teeth, the next government must carry out a full audit of any empty public buildings or offices that could be handed over to the Land Development Agency or local authorities to deliver social or affordable homes."