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

As regards the points raised by Deputy Ó Broin, these regulations can be interchangeable in terms of existing properties or new properties the HSE may require within the two-year period for discharging its functions in respect of Covid-19. On the other specific issue he raised, relating to permanency, it is absolutely the current intention for this to be temporary and emergency in nature.

As regards the remarks of Deputy Nash, vacancy is a significant issue and I absolutely get that. That is why through our town centres first programme we are aiming to have all the vacant homes offices established full-time within the local authority network, in all 31 local authorities, by quarter 2 of this year. We have increased the funding by 20% to make that a reality. Many of the vacant homes officers are sharing tasks with other services right across the local authority and that dilutes their sense of purpose in terms of the work they have to do.

Obviously, the Housing Commission is doing a significant body of work relating to the Constitution and property rights within the State. That is a key focus that will be worked on. County Louth has an exceptional record in terms of compulsory purchase orders, CPOs, for vacant properties and bringing them back into use. It is one of the leaders in the local authority network. I understand the balance of risk and where the risk lies in terms of a local authority issuing a CPO for a property and even putting it onto the derelict sites register which we are trying to reform through this process. I await what the commission will say. We are trying to use the carrot approach by ensuring we have funding to unlock the potential of these properties. It is to be hoped that Croí Cónaithe will this year provide a mechanism involving a call to provide a grant for the owners of these properties to bring them back into residential use. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is working diligently to make that a reality this year because it will be very important. When you have a stick in the background, it is important to try to bring people with you. We are trying to achieve that.

As regards the specific regulations, I reiterate that specific conditions or limitations will apply to the proposed exemptions. These are that the change of use is limited to a period of 12 months and the exemption only applies to a change of use for the purposes of preventing and alleviating the risk to public health risk posed by the spread of specific infectious diseases listed in the infectious diseases regulations 1981, including Covid-19. It is proposed that the draft regulations will expire two years following commencement. If further use of these buildings as testing or vaccination centres is anticipated after the two-year period, the normal planning application procedures will follow their course.

I thank Deputies Ó Broin and Nash for their co-operation in bringing these regulations to the House.

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