THE DEPARTMENT OF Environment has announced €32 million in new funding for social housing.

The money will be used to buy existing housing stock for those on housing lists and to upgrade homes for those with disabilities. €20 million will be spent on purchasing homes, while €12.2 million will go towards upgrading others.

The acquisition of 131 homes will be completed this year and the department says it hopes to meet the needs of those already on the housing list. The upgrade to housing will be carried out by a number of housing boards and has been prioritised by local authorities. 135  homes will be provided under this scheme.

The allocation of the units is spread across the country, with Dublin City, getting 27, Fingal 19, Louth 14 and Cork City 15.  For a full breakdown of the allocation, click here.

Minister for Housing Jan O’Sullivan says that the money is available due to savings made across the board, as well as “efficient management” of capital budget allocations.

“This funding will now be deployed to purchase an additional 260 homes for families and individuals with a housing need,” said O’Sullivan “There is a particular focus on assisting people with a physical or intellectual disability live independently.

This funding supports hundreds of jobs, many involving local contractors, in every county.

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