A housing scheme that was piloted in Carlow and Waterford is now being rolled out nationwide.
The government has announced €32 million for the Repair and Leasing Scheme which targets vacant properties and secures them for social housing by paying the cost of repairs.
Around 59 of these properties between Carlow and Waterford have so far been accepted.
It’s expected that up to 800 vacant properties will be brought back into use as new homes for families on local authority waiting lists.