We keep hearing about the need to build new houses and apartments to live in. 

It’s estimated that anything up to 35,000 new units a year could be needed to meet the demand for homes. 

But what about trying to use all the vacant dwellings in Ireland? 

The last census estimated there were 183 of these dwellings across the country, not including holiday homes and second homes that people have. 

While some could be in disrepair, is there potential for them to be restored and used as good quality accommodation for people?

Kieran McCarthy, Civil Engineer with KMC Homes and co-host of RTE’s Cheap Irish Homes joins The Last Word to discuss. 

Also on the show to chat about this, is Jude Sherry, Design Consultant with Anois, and Brendan O'Sullivan, Head of School of Planning at UCC. 

For the full chat press the play button on this page.