Written answers

Tuesday, 21 September 2021

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Local Authorities

Photo of Paul McAuliffePaul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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305. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the dates on which the changes to CPO for local authorities announced in the Housing for All document are due to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45131/21]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Indecon Report on the Taxation of Vacant Residential Property(2018) recommended that a major programme of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) should be activated by Local Authorities to purchase vacant properties, even when these dwellings are not suitable for social housing.

In this regard, Housing for All: A new Housing Plan for Irelandprovides for such a programme of CPO acquisitions, supported by a bridging finance facility from the Housing Finance Agency, which will allow Local Authorities to maximise opportunities to return vacant properties to productive use.

The objective of the programme, which will be introduced by the end of 2021, is for Local Authorities to acquire up to 2,500 vacant units by 2026 and present them to the open market for sale.

The Housing Agency will assist and advise Local Authorities with the CPO process. Vacant Homes Officers, already in situ in each Local Authority, will be responsible for driving this programme forward.

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