Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Derelict Sites Act 1990 confers significant powers on local authorities to tackle the problem of dereliction in our towns and cities. The application of the derelict sites levy is only one of those powers which also include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites and acquiring derelict sites by agreement or compulsorily. It is a matter for the local authority to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas. Addressing vacancy and maximising the use of existing housing stock is a primary concern for this Government, as demonstrated by the fact that one of our four pathways is dedicated solely to this priority area in the new Housing for All strategy. Work is under way in the Department of Finance, through the current local property tax returns, to assess the present vacancy situation and once collated and analysed, this data will contribute to a number of the policy initiatives outlined in Housing for All, including a new local authority-led programme to help local authorities buy or compulsorily purchase 2,500 vacant homes in their areas which can then be sold on the open market and will ensure homes do not lie vacant; reform of the fair deal scheme to remove disincentives to selling or renting unused homes; the Croí Cónaithe fund, which will be delivered by local authorities for the provision of service sites for housing to attract people to build their own homes and support the refurbishment of vacant properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages in a sustainable way; and our new towns first policy, which will include approaches to utilising stock and new financial incentives. These measures are in addition to the vacant property tax consideration being pursued by the Department of Finance. The Department intends to engage with the local authorities in a proactive way and continue to do so and to ensure effective enforcement of the provisions of this legislation. It also intends to carry out a review of the Act, which has been improving its effectiveness since 1990.

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