Taoiseach slams councils 'asking for handouts' to fill vacant homes

Taoiseach slams councils 'asking for handouts' to fill vacant homes

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has condemned a ‘dependency culture’ in councils that seek ‘handouts’ of tens of thousands of euros to fill vacant social homes. The Taoiseach sharply criticised local authorities for seeking up to €60,000 to prepare vacant homes to be re-let, as the country grapples with the housing crisis. In some areas, properties can lie vacant for over a year, but Mr Martin has insisted this should ‘never’ happen for longer than a m…