Cork City Council to tackle dereliction with series of workshops

A spokesman for Cork City Council said the council is still working to address the issue, and has development briefs for the properties ready to go as soon as the issue is resolved.

The update came as the local authority announced a series of city-wide public drop-in vacancy and dereliction information sessions, along with a one-off seminar, to provide information on the supports available to refurbish vacant or derelict properties.

It is part of an increased focus on tackling dereliction, which has seen over 700 properties being investigated, placed on the register, or placed on the city’s vacant homes register as of March 2024.

The increase in activity last year led to a 45% increase in the number of sites on the city’s derelict sites register, which now stands at a high of almost 160.

There was a similar increase in the number of sites under investigation for dereliction — the last step before a decision is made on whether to enter a property on the DSR.

In addition, over 250 applicants have applied for the Croí Conaithe vacant property refurbishment grant — which can allocate between €50,000 to €70,000 for vacant and derelict homes.

Over €12m in grants is being progressed to bring these long-term vacant and derelict properties back into use, with further applications invited while the grant remains available.

The next drop-in dereliction session will take place in Blackpool Library, Redforge Rd, on Friday, May 3, with experts on hand from 10am to 12pm.

Council experts will be on hand to answer questions on any element of a vacant or derelict property, from grants available, to queries on planning or ownership, or any other issue that may be preventing the return of a property to use.

The council is also planning what it has described as a major stakeholder and public seminar later this month, covering the evolving challenges and supports available to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use.

The Urban Fabric: Addressing Dereliction and Vacancy event, to be held on May 24, will build on the success of the inaugural event which was held at Nano Nagle Place in 2023.

This year’s event will take place at St Peter’s Church, North Main St, and will feature city council speakers and external experts — including Kieran McCarthy of RTÉ’s Cheap Irish Homes.

A limited number of public spaces will be able to book on from May 6, through Cork City Council’s website, social media, and www.eventbrite.ie.

Some walk-ups will be accepted on the day if space is available, a council spokesperson said.

Other events in the city’s other electorate areas are planned for later in the year.

The spokesperson said anyone who wants more information about vacancy, dereliction, housing grants and schemes, or who wants to report a derelict site, should contact the council as soon as possible through its website or by email via derelictsites@corkcity.ie or vacantproperties@corkcity.ie.