Dublin's Lord Mayor has urged that derelict properties in the city centre be transformed into housing for essential staff, saying the approach would encourage more people to live and work in the heart of the capital.

Councillor Ray McAdam said the public sector relies on staff living near their workplaces. "The Dublin City Taskforce Report proposed that derelict sites should be converted into residential properties with provisions for essential workers like nurses, gardaí, teachers, and public transport staff.

"We want those who work locally to live locally and converting these buildings is a great way of getting more housing right in our city centre.

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"Businesses across the city are struggling to get staff. We need to make it more appealing for people to be based in the city centre and access to housing is central to this.

Healthcare workers, public transport workers, and public sector workers need more support finding housing."

The Dublin City Taskforce report recommended the establishment of a grant system so public sector workers can get additional funding to purchase residential stock for staff.

We need to see an update on how this grant system is being progressed and when the system will be implemented.

A pilot programme to convert derelict housing is being run on Middle Abbey Street and North Frederick Street, but we know there are plenty of areas across the city that could also be used for this scheme.

This month it was confirmed that €10 million is owed to Dublin City Council in outstanding derelict site levies. With 138 properties on the council's derelict site register we need to tackle this and get progress made on converting these homes for workers.

Having people live and work in the city centre is essential for Dublin's future. It's vital that they have access to affordable housing options where they work.

"We need to see more housing options for the people who keep our city running," concluded the Lord Mayor.