Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland)
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554. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a time limit on bringing properties into use (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42297/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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There is no time limit requirement under the planning laws relating to the bringing into use of properties after their completion.

However, the recently enacted Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, underutilised sites in urban areas. In the context of the Act, the term “site” includes residential land and any structures on such land. Under the provisions of the Act, with effect from 2019 - in respect of 2018 - a levy will be charged on the registered owners of vacant sites in designated areas in local development plans and local area plans as being in need of, and suitable for, housing. The levy – which will be applied at a rate of 3% of the market value of a vacant site with reduced rates applying in specific circumstances - will be charged each subsequent year until the site is no longer vacant. When operational, it is envisaged that the levy will be instrumental in bringing vacant, underutilised residential sites and structures into beneficial use for housing purposes and assist in increasing housing supply.