County Louth is to receive seven million Euro to tackle urban vacancy and dereliction from the third round of payments from the €150m Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) announced today by Minister for Housing and Local Government Darragh O’Brien.
Minister O’Brien issued the call for local authorities to outline their proposals for the URDF funding in January to tackle dereliction and vacancy wich is rampant in Drogheda and in towns and cities throughout the country
Louth is the third largest recipient of funding in the country behind Waterford and Limerick which are to receive €9m each. Neighbouring County Meath is to benefit to the tune of €6.5m.
Welcoming the announcement Fine Gael Deputy Fergus O’Dowd said that this signals the government’s commitment in directly tackling the dereliction and vacancy issues that have blighted towns such as Drogheda.
O’Dowd said “Call 3 of this URDF funding is specifically targeted at tackling vacancy and dereliction with the dual benefit of improving streetscapes and providing additional housing.
“Under the scheme Louth County Council will acquire vacant or derelict properties which are either not on the market for sale or to which the market has not responded.
“They will then offer these properties for private sale to individuals who in return will commit to bringing the property into use as a home.
“Proceeds from the sale of these properties will ensure a rolling programme of acquisitions and disposals are in place which will inevitably release more properties into the market and generate investment in areas of most need.
O’Dowd added “This should also tie in to the plans for the government backed Westgate Vision Plan in Drogheda which will see huge transformational change and investment directed at the West side of Drogheda which as we know has suffered greatly over the last number of decades.”
Louth Fianna Fáil Senator, Erin McGreehan, has also welcomed the funding.
“I’m delighted that my party colleague Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has allocated €7 million to tackle vacancy and dereliction in Louth. This will allow vacant properties to be brought back into use and create new homes” she said.
“It’s hugely positive as not only will it remove derelict properties which are eyesores in our towns and villages, it will give people the opportunity to live and participate in their local communities making them more vibrant in the process.”
