Number of derelict properties in Longford considered ‘disgraceful’

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, has announced the latest figures which show that nationally over €200 million has been disbursed through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, successfully returning 3,672 previously vacant or derelict homes to active residential use across the country.

The figures also show that in Longford, €2.28m has been paid out which has brought 43 disused homes into use.

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In total, since the grant was launched in July 2022 up to 30 September 2025, there have been 203 applications from Longford homeowners with 163 approvals.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath, Sorca Clarke, has called on the government to urgently tackle the growing scandal of housing dereliction, as new figures from a response to a Parliamentary Question reveal that there are 111 derelict properties across Longford-Westmeath, while thousands of people remain homeless.

Deputy Clarke said, “It is nothing short of disgraceful that in the middle of a housing and homelessness crisis we have over a hundred properties lying derelict across Longford-Westmeath.

“No home should lie empty or derelict when there are thousands of children and people homeless. There is absolutely no justification for this.

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“Every week, I have people come into my office in complete distress, all pleading for the same simple thing: a roof over their head.

“They are not asking for the moon and the stars, just the bare minimum. Government has failed so badly they can no longer provide even the bare minimum. The most basic human need.”