Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a question on a similar issue. Dereliction is a substantial problem in many villages and towns but also in some urban areas. While under different funding streams, sometimes we neglect how significant a role vacancy, even if not quite dereliction, can play. There could be three or four buildings next to each other on a street that might not be derelict or reportable under the derelict buildings register but they can still impact on the vibrancy of a town or village. That in itself can be a challenge. We need local authorities to be more aggressive. For example, Louth County Council is very aggressive in that regard. I commend it on that. There needs to be more aggression. There are two potential challenges. The first relates to tradespeople and builders. If a builder has a choice between taking on a risky vacant or derelict property as opposed to an extension, the incentives are not great. The other challenge, and I wonder whether the Department can do more in this regard, is it can often be difficult with vacant or derelict properties to perfect title on unregistered property, particularly in the old cores of towns. Can the Department do much to support that to assist tackling vacancy and dereliction?

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