Sinn Féin spokesperson on Urban Regeneration and Renewal Thomas Gould TD has criticised the government over funding for local authorities to return vacant council homes to use. He was responding to the NOAC Performance Indicators Report for 2025, which shows local authorities spend on average €31,000 per vacant home returned to use, while government funding averages €11,000 per unit.

The report also indicates more than 3,500 public homes are vacant across the state. Gould said the funding gap leaves local authorities to cover additional costs of up to €45,000 in some cases, with average turnaround times exceeding eight months.

He highlighted Mayo County Council's direct labour programme as an example that has reduced turnaround times and called for its replication. Gould said boarded-up public homes during a housing crisis cannot be accepted.

Gould also stated that despite rising construction costs and aging stock, there have been only minimal increases in spending on housing maintenance, which he attributed to local authorities having no more money to spend. He said councils are doing their best and working tirelessly, but the government is creating a funding crisis.

He referenced local authorities hiking rents during the housing crisis, which he said Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors supported, and said the responsibility to resolve the crisis cannot be placed on vulnerable families and struggling businesses.