Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and appreciate his raising this matter.

Addressing vacancy and dereliction, and maximising the use of the existing housing stock, is a priority objective of the Government, as evidenced in the Housing for All strategy. One of the four pathways in the plan is specifically dedicated to this area.

The Minister for Finance has been advised by his colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, that the existing Derelict Sites Act imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. These powers include the power to prosecute owners who do not comply with notices served, making compulsory land purchases and carrying out necessary work at charge to the owners for the cost.

The Minister has also been advised that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage continues to liaise with local authorities on the implementation of the Act with a view to improving its effectiveness. In this regard, a review of the Act was initiated in November 2021 and initial submissions have been sought from local authorities on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. We understand the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is now in the process of establishing a focused working group to progress speedily this matter further.

It would be premature to speculate on possible legislative changes and improvements in the levy collection mechanisms, including replacing the current levy with a tax to be implemented by the Revenue Commissioners in advance of the completion of this review. It remains a work in progress. The process is open-ended but we want to see the report as quickly as possible so we can decide where to go next.

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