Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

596. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the value of derelict sites levies waived by local authorities in 2019, broken down by local authority in tabular form. [39165/21]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

597. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if local authorities can waive the derelict sites levy if a property was sold. [39166/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 597 together.

Where monies are owed under the derelict site levy, they become a charge on the land concerned under section 24 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) until they are paid. Where the ownership of the land on which the levy is due is transferred, such as on foot of being sold, the local authority must be notified under section 29 of the Act. When a local authority is notified by any person of a transfer of land or an interest in land, it shall cause the appropriate entry in the register to be amended. The levy remains a charge on the land until it is paid and is payable by the registered owner.

The only circumstances under the Act where the derelict sites levy may be waived is on hardship grounds. In this connection, section 26 of the Act provides that:

'Where, in the opinion of a local authority, payment of the derelict sites levy or of interest payable under this Act at a particular time by a particular person would cause undue hardship to the person, the local authority may, by notice in writing sent by post or given to the person, suspend action or further action under this Part to secure payment of the whole or part of the amount of the levy due for such period as may be specified in the notice...'.

In line with the foregoing provision, the waiving of the derelict sites levy under section 26 of the Act is at the discretion of the local authority concerned and the Department does not have information on value of any waivers applied.

Section 23(6) of the Act further provides that a local authority may allow for payment of any levies due by instalments.