Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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491. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on the work of the working group initiated as part of a review of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15700/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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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 discussions on the review are ongoing and it is intended, in the context of related policies, legislative amendments and funding schemes that have been developed since the review commenced, in addition to the increasing challenge associated with dereliction, to now further consider the potential to improve the legislation and related supporting mechanisms.

Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government. To address this, a number of structures have now been established including a dedicated Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, a full-time Vacant Homes Officer in each local authority, and the publication of a ‘Vacant Homes Action Plan’ to draw together a number of vacancy related measures across relevant Government Departments.

In addition, a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Activation Programme was also launched by my Department in April 2023. The Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant and derelict properties. It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers, including under the Derelict Sites Act, to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful. Support and guidance on implementation of the Programme is being provided to local authorities by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department and by the Property Optimisation Unit in the Housing Agency.

A key focus in the Action Plan relates to the interaction with the Government’s ‘Town Centre First’ Policy Approach, which was launched by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development in 2022 and provides a whole-of-government policy framework to address the decline in the health of towns and support measures to revitalise them. To drive the delivery of Town Centre First, dedicated Town Regeneration Officers are now established within local authorities, supported by the National Town Centre First Office in the Local Government Management Agency and working closely within broader local government regeneration teams and local community Town Teams to improve the quality and vibrancy of our towns and urban areas.

My Department is also supporting local authorities through the €2 billion Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) which is funding critical regeneration and infrastructure projects across the country in our town and cities. In particular, Call 3 of the URDF provided a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities enable them where appropriate to acquire long term vacant or derelict properties in URDF eligible towns and cities.

In addition, the scope for the engagement of additional staff resources in local authorities to assist in the more effective enforcement and implementation of the provisions of the Act is also being explored in my Department in the context of an ongoing review of the staff resourcing needs of local planning authorities generally. In this regard, a Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources was published in October 2024: www.gov.ie/en/publication/51194-ministerial-action-plan-on-planning-resources-october-2024/.