More than €850k spent on shutters to secure vacant city council-owned properties in last five years

A total of €851,821 has been spent by Cork City Council on shutters to secure council-owned vacant and derelict properties in last five years.

€140,468 was spent on shuttering in 2020, €169,045 in 2021, €190,375 in 2022, €169,687 in 2023 and €182,246 in 2024 as of the end of September.

This equates to a total of €851,821 for “the security of vacant housing units in regeneration areas including Noonan Road, vacant units under repair etc,” Niall Ó Donnabháin, the council’s director of services in housing operations, explained.

This year’s figures look to be higher than previously, with the 2024 total equating to an average of over €20,000 monthly, suggesting the total figure for the year could be almost €243,000.

The figures were provided to Social Democrats councillor for Cork City South Central Pádraig Rice, who asked the reason for the increased costs this year.

The council told him that there are additional properties needing shuttered this year, but insisted “there is a value for money there,” and “we’re confident that this is a cost we need to incur because we need to ensure these properties are protected at all times from vandalism.”

Mr Rice said, “So far this year, the council has spent over €182k on shutters for vacant council-owned buildings.

“This is a lot of money to board up vacant homes.”

He explained, “It is particularly concerning that these figures are increasing. In 2020, it was €140k for the whole year.

“It looks like €240k will be spent by the end of this year.

“Every day that a house is vacant, the costs go up as there is a per-day charge. 

“People want public money spent well. I don’t think this represents value for money.”

Mr Rice explained that there are almost 350 vacant council houses in the city, saying, “It’s a disgrace – particularly when there are thousands of people on the housing waiting list... the council has to get quicker at turning around vacant houses. In Dublin, they do it much quicker. This would bring down the shuttering costs.

“People are crying out for a place to live. The council must do everything possible to provide more homes for people,” he concluded.

Cork City Council was asked for comment.