Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

285. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he intends to update and expand the 1990 definition of dereliction to allow for more accurate reflection of derelict properties. [45945/22]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

286. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there are any plans to increase the resources available to local authorities to allow for greater enforcement and capacity to collect the derelict sites levy, noting that only €1.1 million of derelict site levies for 2021 were collected by city and county councils resulting in a collection rate of just 23%. [45946/22]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together.

Addressing vacancy and dereliction, and maximising the use of the existing housing stock, is a priority objective of the Government, as evidenced by Housing for All - A New Housing Plan for Ireland where one of the four pathways in the plan is specifically dedicated to this area.

My Department continues to liaise with local authorities on the implementation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) with a view to improving its effectiveness. In this regard, my Department initiated a review of the Act in November 2021 and has sought initial submissions from local authorities on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. My Department has now established a focused working group to progress this matter further.

It would be premature to speculate on possible legislative changes, including the possible extension or redefinition of the term "derelict site", as well as improvements in the levy collection mechanisms in advance of the completion of this review. 

With regard to the resources available to local authorities to allow for greater enforcement and capacity to collect the derelict sites levy, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.