Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1054: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he proposes to have penalties and levies under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 increased on a sliding scale; and if moneys raised will be used to fund the purchase of local land banks for future developments. [10034/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Section 23 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 provides for the imposition of an annual derelict sites levy in respect of urban land registered by the relevant local authority for the purposes of the Act. The amount of this levy is 3% of the market value of the urban land concerned and remains payable until such time as the land ceases to be derelict.

I am satisfied that this levy, consistently applied and rigorously enforced, constitutes a sufficient financial incentive to property owners to eliminate dereliction, and I have no proposals at this time to increase the amount of the levy.

Revenues from the derelict sites levy may be applied by a local authority for the purpose of their functions generally and may be directed to the purchase of lands at the discretion of the local authority.