Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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417. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the departmental review of the effectiveness of the Derelict Sites Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34241/23]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.

My Department initiated a review of the Derelict Sites Act in November 2021 and invited local authorities to make initial submissions on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. A focused working group of nominated staff members from a number of local authorities was subsequently established. The group met on three occasions during 2022 and remains active. It is expected that the report of the group will be finalised in the coming months. I will consider the recommendations contained in the report once it is received.