John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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757. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to examine the issue of abandoned residential properties which are not in a derelict condition, many of which may be subject to long-running family disputes; having due regard for the constitutional right to private property, his further plans to requisition or otherwise bring back such abandoned and non-derelict residential properties in the interest of being an additional strand to resolving the shortage of homes; if, in the context of the proposed vacant land levy of 3% in urban areas (Planning and Development (No.1) Bill, 2014), he has considered a similar levy on abandoned residential properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23115/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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In May 2014, the Government published Construction 2020: A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sectoraimed at addressing issues in the property and construction sectors and ensuring that any critical bottlenecks that might impede the sector in meeting residential and non-residential demand are addressed. A range of measures are being taken to support increased housing delivery. In particular, the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 , which was published on 5 June, is primarily focused on addressing housing supply-related issues with a view to facilitating increased activity in the housing construction sector. The Bill provides for changes in development contributions, amendments to the Part V provisions of the Planning and Development Acts to support the provision of social housing, as well as the introduction of a vacant site levy. Having regard to the definition of “vacant site” in the Bill as published, it is proposed that the levy will be applied from 1 January 2019 onwards to vacant sites exceeding 0.1 hectares in area which are located in designated areas identified by a planning authority in its development plan or local area plan for residential or regeneration development. The levy will not be applied to sites which include any structure or dwelling that is a person’s ordinary place of residence. It is intended that the Bill will complete its passage through both Houses of the Oireachtas by the Summer recess.

Since the publication of Construction 2020, there are already some welcome and positive signs of recovery in the sector. Particularly notable in this regard is the increase in the number of house completions in 2014 to 11,016 units nationally – an increase of 33% on the 2013 figure. In Quarter 1 2015, some 2,629 units have been completed, an increase of 26% on the same period in 2014.

As the Deputy will be aware, Article 43 of the Constitution provides that the State will vindicate the private property rights of every citizen to own, transfer, bequeath and inherit property. The State further guarantees to pass no law to abolish these rights. While Article 43 also declares that the State may pass laws de- limiting the exercise of such private property rights in the interests and exigencies of the common good, ultimately it is a matter for the Courts to adjudicate on individual cases where a dispute has arisen between parties with regard to private residential properties.