Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Dormant Accounts Act provides for a scheme to disburse funds for the purposes of programmes or projects to assist (i) the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged, (ii) the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged, or (iii) persons with a disability. As such, a scheme to finance the compulsory purchase of derelict properties would not align with these statutory requirements.

It should be noted that a Dormant Accounts Action Plan is developed each year, which details the measures to be funded from the Dormant Accounts Fund. To prepare these annual action plans relevant Government Departments put forward proposals for funding within their own policy areas, and each Department is then responsible for the administration and delivery of their measures within the action plan. These action plans are available here (www.gov.ie/en/collection/769773-dormant-accounts-fund-annual-action-plans-and-reports/).

The level of funding currently being disbursed from the Dormant Accounts Fund is in line with a maximum amount that is consistent with the long term sustainability of funding. Total funding disbursed in 2021 was €51.7 million, and a similar amount is expected to be disbursed this year.

Finally, outside of the Dormant Accounts Fund, and in line with Our Rural Future, the Department of Rural and Community Development provides significant funding to address the issue of dereliction in rural towns across the country through schemes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. For example, in July of this year there was approval of €7.5 million in funding for local authorities to purchase 36 derelict and vacant properties for development as community facilities under the new Building Acquisition Measure.