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

My Department has introduced a number of significant measures to incentivise the increased use of vacant housing stock. These initiatives include the Repair and Leasing Scheme and the Buy and Renew Scheme, as well as the introduction of the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2018, which came into operation on 8 February 2018 providing for an exemption from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of the change of use of certain vacant commercial premises, including the conversion of vacant areas above ground floor commercial premises, to residential use.

This last-mentioned measure was aimed at facilitating the productive re-use of qualifying vacant commercial buildings as homes, while also facilitating urban renewal and the bringing on stream of increased housing supply. The original expiry date of the Regulations was 31 December 2021 which was subsequently extended to 25 February 2022 arising from the Covid-related shutdown of the planning system for 8 weeks during the period March to May 2020, which extended all planning timelines by 8 weeks.

Both Our Rural Future – Rural Development Policy 2021 to 2025 and the recently published Housing Plan for Ireland - Housing for All committed to reviewing and extending the 2018 regulations to the end of 2025.

New regulations entitled the Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 75 of 2022) were signed into law by Minister O'Brien on 21 February last, thereby delivering on this commitment. In addition a new class of use eligible to avail of the planning exemption was also included in the regulations – that of public houses (up to a maximum of 9 residential units). This is designed to ease the burden of converting pubs, which are no longer viable and have ceased to operate, to residential accommodation.

In addition to the foregoing, Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.

In July, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund was launched. The Grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages but as of the 15 November, the grant has been expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July).

A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.

Earlier this month, my colleague Mr Malcolm Noonan presented Draft Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2022 to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for consideration. These draft regulations provide for the temporary change of use by or on behalf of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth of a wide list of buildings and structures, including vacant commercial property and office blocks, to accommodate or support persons seeking international protection. I propose to sign these regulations into law following approval by the Oireachtas.

Exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of specific forms of development are provided for, when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development. These exemptions provided for in the Planning and Development Regulations are kept under regular review. I have no plans to introduce any further measures in this regard at this point in time but I would propose to keep possible further measures in this area under ongoing review.