A Roscommon TD says a range of supports need to be put in place urgently to bring vacant and derelict properties across the country back into use.
Independent Deputy Denis Naughten says recent information from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly shows there are a total of almost 45,000 such premises across the five counties in the region including Roscommon and Leitrim.
Fine Gael has recently put forward proposals to extend the first-tine buyers initiative to the properties and to scrap the requirement of advertising planning permission, but Deputy Naughten says this wouldn't be enough, even if it becomes a reality.
Deputy Naughten says a variety of special measures need to be put in place to make these potential homes viable, and that in turn would help some depopulated areas.
