Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1693. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the actions his Department is taking to work with local authorities in collecting the derelict sites levy; if he has any plans for the establishment of LA vacancy units modelled on the success of a similar team dedicated to dereliction in Limerick County Council (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44231/25]

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. 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 challenges associated with dereliction, to now further consider the potential to improve the legislation and related supporting mechanisms.

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

The supports, programmes and funding schemes detailed below have helped Limerick City and County Council in undertaking their focused work in addressing dereliction and vacancy issues locally.

Specifically, my Department provides funding of €60,000 per annum to support each local authority's Vacant Homes Office, including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO). This was increased from €50,000 in 2022 and supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that the VHO role in each local authority is fulltime. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of their VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction.

Since 2023, all 31 local authorities have a full-time VHO in place. The VHOs play a vital role in delivering and advancing measures to tackle vacancy and dereliction in each local authority. This work involves engaging with the owners of vacant and derelict properties and promoting uptake of my Departments funding supports for vacancy such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, Repair and Leasing Scheme and Buy & Renew Schemes. Their work is also supported by other initiatives such as the planning regulations which exempt certain vacant commercial premises from requiring planning permission to change to residential accommodation.

With regard to the establishment of vacancy units across Local Authorities, while my Department has a role in strategic workforce planning within the local government sector, Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.

In addition, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant introduced in July 2022, provides a grant of up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant 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 €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.

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 re-use 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.

In line with the Programme for Government ‘Securing Ireland’s Future , the Government will further develop the Town Centre First approach and establish a Town Regeneration Team in every local authority bringing together Town Regeneration Officers, Vacant Homes Officers and other key staff to support a focused and strategic approach to addressing vacancy and dereliction.

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 to enable them, where appropriate, to acquire long term vacant or derelict properties in URDF-eligible towns and cities and bring them back into long term use as homes or for other purposes. €10 million was allocated to Limerick City & County Council under this scheme.

Launched in February 2024, the €120million EU Regional Development Fund (ERDF) also supports tackling dereliction through the Town Centre Heritage Revival (THRIVE) scheme and is administered by the Southern Regional Assembly and Northern & Western Regional Assembly. In particular, five urban centres were awarded nearly €32 million in grant funding for the renovation, restoration and reuse of publicly owned vacant and derelict heritage buildings under Strand 2 of THRIVE.

Last year, my Department also published a revised Bringing Back Homes manual. The manual provides property owners, members of the public, local authorities and those involved in the construction industry with guidance to facilitate the reuse of old and vacant buildings - including for over-the-shop spaces. It provides clear and detailed guidance on current policy and regulatory requirements that apply to this form of development.

The Bringing Back Homes manual is available to download on my Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/68a5b-bringing-back-homes-manual-for-the-reuse-of-existing-buildings/.