Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am taking the spirit of the question the Senator is asking as regarding assistance to local authorities in collecting the revenue and in animating sites for activation for development. I think this is a very important issue.

For some background, the Derelict Sites Act 1990, as amended, imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all responsible steps to ensure 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 any land within their functional area will not become or continue to be a derelict site. Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites, acquiring derelict sites by agreement or compulsorily and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.It is a matter for local authorities to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.

There is currently no proposal to replace the derelict site levy with a tax. Such a measure would require new legislation by the Department of Finance for, as suggested by the Senator, the collection of the tax by the Revenue Commissioners. However, the Department continues to liaise with local authorities on the enforcement and implementation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990, as well as on the collection of levies due, with a view to improving its effectiveness in delivering on its objectives. My Department initiated a review of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in November 2021 and invited local authorities to make initial submissions on potential improvements to legislative provisions and how they are applied. A focused working group of local authority officials nominated by the City and County Managers Association, CCMA, was subsequently established. The working group met on three occasions during 2022 and remains active. It is expected that the report of the group will be finalised shortly. The recommendations contained in the report will be considered once it is received.

Addressing vacancy and dereliction and maximising the use of existing housing stock is a priority objective of the Government, with a range of concerted actions currently being progressed in this area. Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant and derelict properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in local areas and towns. Measures being taken to address vacancy and dereliction include a vacant homes action plan launched by the Government on 30 January, which captures and reports on progress across all objectives in pathway 4 of Housing for All and the planned actions to continue to bring vacant homes into use and maximise use of existing housing stock.

The town centre first policy, a major new policy initiative that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres has also been launched. A €150 million urban regeneration development fund has been made available for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties. This has been supplemented by new guidance for local authorities on acquiring properties compulsorily, providing a step-by-step guide on the process to be followed in the compulsory purchase of derelict sites by local authorities. The vacant property refurbishment grant funded by the Croí Cónaithe towns fund was launched on 14 July 2022 for eligible vacant properties in towns and villages. On 15 November 2022, the grant was extended to include vacant properties in cities and towns in rural areas. A grant of up to €30,000 is available, with an additional €20,000, bringing it up to €50,000, available in the case of derelict properties. The fair deal scheme has been reformed and the Minister has extended planning regulations to exempt certain vacant commercial premises, including vacant spaces over shops, from the requirement for planning permission for change of use to residential accommodation. I will make a supplementary contribution if that is okay but those are just some of the initiatives we have taken to try to address the issues of vacancy and dereliction across the country.