Cork council says €890k security spend for vacant or derelict council houses 'is value for money'
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A local authority has defended an “astonishing” €890,000 spend on security and shutters for vacant or derelict council houses over the last five years.
Cork City Council’s director of services for housing operations, Niall Ó Donnabháin, insisted the spend was value for money after the figures were revealed at Monday’s council meeting.
He said with around 350 council homes vacant at the moment, the €182,000 spend alone so far this year equates to around €520 per vacant property.
“There is value for money. It’s a cost we need to incur to ensure the safety and protection of our properties,” he said.
He made his comments after providing the figures to Social Democrats councillor and general election candidate, Pádraig Rice, in response to a written question.
Mr Rice sought details on the cost of shuttering, or providing security, on all vacant and derelict council-owned properties over the last five years.
The figures show the council spent €851,821 on the security of vacant housing units in regeneration areas, and on security for vacant units under repair, with the breakdown being:
- €140,468 in 2020;
- €169,045 in 2021;
- €190,375 in 2022;
- €169,687 in 2023;
- €182,246 to the end of September this year.
A further €38,844 was spent on the shuttering of derelict properties as part of the acquisition of derelict sites between 2019 and 2023, with
- €16,250.41 spent in 2019;
- €8,573.95 in 2020;
- €4,099.84 in 2021;
- €4,116.54 in 2022;
- €5,806.84 in 2023.
Mr Rice described the total spend as “an astonishing amount of money” that could be far better spent.
“What is particularly worrying is that these figures are increasing,” he said.
“In the first nine months of this year the council spent €182,000 on shutters compared to €140,000 for the whole of 2020.
“With so many people homeless, it’s deeply frustrating to see almost 350 council houses boarded up.
“I want to see these turnaround times fall even more. This would have the added benefit of bringing down the shuttering costs.”
Mr Ó Donnabháin said the increasing spend on security on vacant council properties, known as voids, is reflective of the amount of housing regeneration underway across the city.
He said the costs cover both the time a void is under repair and the time it’s available for allocation. He said the council must ensure that once a property is repaired, it is protected at all times from vandalism or unauthorised entry.
“I am satisfied that the numbers reflect value for money. We continue to try and improve turnaround time and reduce number of voids,” he said.
“We have between 15 and 18 properties coming back every month so this will be a cost that will continue to be incurred by council.”