Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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504. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review and update provisions of the Derelict Sites Act (1990); his views that the Act is fit for purpose to address the serious rise in dereliction following the property collapse; if he is satisfied that the relevant provisions of the Act are properly enforced by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29201/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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In line with the recommendations of the Government's Construction 2020Strategy, I am currently exploring measures to incentivise the use and development of vacant sites in urban areas. However, with regard to the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act, I am satisfied that this legislation is sufficiently robust and have no plans for its amendment at present.

The administration of the Derelict Sites legislation at a local level is a matter for the relevant local authority. While my Department updates the Schedule of Urban Areas in line with sections 4 and 21 of the Act on an annual basis, it is a matter for the relevant local authority to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.