Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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86. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to address dereliction; if he will engage with Galway County Council regarding a site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11674/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department continues to tackle the issue of dereliction through a series of related actions and supports in conjunction with the local authorities and other stakeholders.

The Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) 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.

Local authorities may also use their powers under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 to compulsorily acquire a derelict site for the purpose of rendering it non-derelict and to prevent it continuing as derelict site. This procedure may require consent to be sought by the local authority from An Bord Pleanála for the acquisition of the site. It is a matter for local authorities, in this instance Galway County Council, to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional area.

To further assist in bringing vacant or derelict buildings into use, the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2018 , S.I. No. 30/2018 provides for an exemption from the need to obtain planning permission for the change of use of certain vacant commercial buildings, including vacant above ground floor premises, to residential use such as ‘above shop’ living. Related works are subject to condition that they do not significantly affect the appearance of the building or streetscape, do not conflict with an objective in a development plan or local area plan, or with a condition of a permission, and provide a maximum of nine residential units that comply with all floor space requirements and daylight provision to habitable rooms.

The Regulation was revised (as required under Action 22 of the Town Centre First Policy) in 2022 and is now extended up to the end of 2025. It relates to buildings that have a previous use as commercial floorspace including shops and pubs. Returns to my Department from the local authorities in relation to the exemption for 2018-2023 indicate that 1,165 development notifications were received from developers for such refurbishments of vacant commercial properties relating to a total of 2,716 potential new homes being provided.

Existing derelict homes may also avail of the extensive works that may be carried out to an existing dwelling under Part 1, Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (as amended) without a requirement for planning permission. Such works include an extension of the property to the rear, the conversion of existing garage or shed, the creation of a porch, external maintenance and improvement works to the building.

In 2023 a third round of Urban Regeneration & Development Fund (URDF) funding was announced which provided a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities to acquire long term vacant or derelict properties in URDF eligible towns and cities.

Acquired properties are then offered by local authorities for private sale at market value to those who in return will commit to bringing the property back into residential use. Proceeds from the sale of these properties will be used to replenish the fund, allowing a local authority to establish a rolling programme to tackle long-term vacancy and dereliction without a requirement for borrowing and the associated financial risk.

The fund is available to cover the purchase price of properties acquired, along with up to €30,000 for each purchase to cover associated costs, such as acquisition costs, sales costs and any minor works required to make the property more suitable for sale e.g. improving access, tidying up, opening up to facilitate inspections etc. Purchasers of these properties from the local authority will be able to defray the costs of returning them to use by accessing, subject to eligibility, the Croi Conaithe Vacant Homes Refurbishment Grant (VHRG) offering up to 70,000 euros to refurbish a derelict property.

On completion of the most recent review of the Call 3 programme, a total of 1,297 residential and commercial properties were approved by my department for inclusion on the approved programmes for all 31 local authorities.