Waterford Council has been awarded almost €1.2 million to bring vacant social housing units back into use.
It will see 26 vacant properties in Waterford refurbished and re-let to families and individuals on the social housing list.
In total 2,500 social housing units will be refurbished across the country.
Waterford City and County Council is set to receive €1,192,913 has been allocated by the Department to Waterford City and County Councils for the refurbishment of 26 units.
Applications are categorised into three funding streams; standard voids at an average cost of approximately €11,500, homeless voids at an average cost of €17,300 and long-term voids at an average cost of €47,000.
Commenting Minister O'Brien said, "I am very glad to see such an uptake in the scheme and at such a swift pace. The Department is now in a position to approve applications and Local Authorities such as Waterford City and County Councils can get to work in bringing vacant social housing units back into use.
"I have made it very clear that I want to see works carried out and all units allocated by the end of this year and local authorities will be providing status updates to the Department.
"We know that COVID-19 has had an impact on housing delivery targets this year so the refurbishment and re-letting of voids are vitally important. I would urge Waterford City and County Councils to refurbish and re-let their units as soon as possible," he concluded.
