The Government has announced a new programme that will see more than a thousand boarded-up council houses around the country being refurbished and turned into family homes.
A fund of €15m has been put in place to pay for the work, which will take place over the coming months.
The Housing Minister Jan O'Sullivan has said it is positive news for many local communities.
“One of the most frustrating things for anyone on the housing waiting list is to see empty, boarded-up houses or apartments that they would be happy to live in.
“It’s a very practical measure to bring units back quickly into use. To insure that individuals and families can live in them, where they are a currently waiting on a housing list,” said Minister O'Sullivan.