The Department of Integration is currently using just one of 29 recently bought properties to accommodate Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers, the Irish Mirror has learned.
It comes as the Office of Public Works (OPW) confirmed that it has 68 buildings and 32 sites that are “currently surplus and vacant”.
This is despite the fact that the Government is struggling to accommodate Ukrainian refugees entering the State.
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The figures were revealed in parliamentary question responses to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, who branded the number of vacant properties “an absolute scandal”.
Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman, who is in charge of the country’s response to the refugee crisis, confirmed that as part of the Government’s pledge to wind up Direct Provision and establish a new international protection support service, his Department has bought 29 properties at a cost of €5.9m.
“All the properties purchased require an element of upgrading to make them habitable,” he said.
“Work is currently ongoing with the Housing Agency to develop an Approved Housing Body funding scheme, which will put a framework in place for the upgrading, management and ongoing maintenance of the properties.”
The 29 properties are located across 12 counties. They include two larger properties with 10 or more beds. There are also 27 residential properties, including two, three and four-bed houses and apartments.
The Department of Integration confirmed to The Mirror that just one of the properties is being used for Ukrainian refugees. The other 28 are “not currently suitable for use”.
The spokesperson said that they are planning to transition the Ukrainian refugees to other accommodation and that it is envisaged that it will be used for asylum seekers from March.
They added: “For all the other properties purchased an element of upgrading or renovations is required to make them habitable.
“[They] are not currently suitable for use.”
Mr Tóibín said that the fact that 28 properties are not being used shows an “urgency deficit” from the Government.
“It shows a very, very slow process,” he said.
“There are 29 buildings purchased for a particular purpose and only one is in use.
“I have no doubt that the Government is very cautious and careful in terms of making sure that standards are adhered to.
“But we are in a crisis situation.”
The OPW, meanwhile, confirmed that it has 68 vacant buildings and 32 sites. In the answer provided to Deputy Tóibín by Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath, the OPW advised that the State “will always retain a number of vacant properties for future use”.
The OPW told the Irish Mirror a lot of the office buildings they own are “older generation stock” and would require “significant investment to comply with current regulations for residential use”.
Its vacant stock includes 39 closed garda stations and five former garda residences. Of these, 21 garda stations and two residences are currently being prepared for disposal.
Mr Toibin said the number of vacant properties is “unforgivable”.
He said: "The amount (sic) of vacant properties, owned by Government departments, being left idle across the country is an absolute scandal given the extent of the housing crisis at present.
“Some of these buildings are not in good shape, but many are.
“There are more than 10,000 people currently homeless in this country. We have a refugee accommodation crisis.
“For the Government to continue to sit on these vacant properties is a slap in the face to everyone currently without accommodation.”
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