Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I oppose the amendment. It is unnecessary. The existing provisions in the Bill allow for what the Deputy is proposing. Section 23 outlines how the proceeds of the vacant site levy are to be used by the planning authority. It essentially ring-fences the proceeds to be used solely on the provision of housing on residential land or for the development and renewal of regeneration land.

The proposed amendment inserts a new paragraph in subsection (i) to provide that the proceeds of the levy may be spent "on any local authority owned land in the area on the development of social housing". I already brought forward an amendment to this section on Committee Stage to provide greater clarity on how the planning authority may use the proceeds of the levy. Following this amendment, the section provides that the proceeds may be used for the provision of housing on residential land in the vicinity of the site or for the development and renewal of regeneration land in the vicinity of the site. This gives the planning authority wider scope in the use of the levy proceeds, including on the provision of housing on local authority owned land in the area, thereby providing greater benefit to the overall local area in which vacant sites are located.

I consider that the provisions as they stand enable the planning authority to use the levy proceeds in the most appropriate way. The proposed amendment is unnecessary and I oppose it on that basis.

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