Funding of €2m has been allocated to Mayo County Council to target vacancy and dereliction in towns across the county.

The allocation has been welcomed by Deputy Alan Dillon.

The Fine Gael TD says local authorities, including Mayo County Council, will acquire vacant or derelict properties which are either not on the market for sale or to which the market has not responded. They will then offer these properties for private sale to individuals who in return will commit to bringing the property into use as a home. Proceeds from the sale of these properties will ensure a rolling programme of acquisitions and disposals is in place.

Deputy Dillon added this fund is extremely important in Mayo where there are currently 284 sites on the Derelict Sites Register.

A dedicated officer has been employed by Mayo County Council to address the issue of dereliction by engaging with owners of these buildings, issuing statutory notices and placing these sites on the register.