WATCH: 'Breathing new life into out towns' Minister for housing's visit of social homes in Graigue

Minister for Housing , Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien visited Graiguecullen last week to view an example of 9 new social homes put in by Carlow County Council under the Repair and Leasing Scheme.

In the video Minister O'Brien says:

"Over a year ago, I was here in Castleview House. And this was a pretty much a derelict building. It's from the early 19th century. It has been transformed through the Repair and Lease Scheme now."

"Nine magnificent apartments that are here. Keys have been handed out to tenants just this week and I had the pleasure of meeting Henri (a tenant) as well."

"Great job done here by the Carlow County Council and the contractor. This is just one of the examples of the great work being done in Carlow in relation to tackling vacancy and breathing new life into out towns and villages. And indeed this happening right the way across the country."

"So, one of our pathways in Housing for All is tackle vacancy, to tackle dereliction and we're doing that. And here's a magnificent example of it here in Carlow, in Castleview House."

You can watch the full video with visuals of the apartments that the Minister is talking about below this article.