Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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368. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the application of the derelict sites register in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area; his views on the progress in bringing sites on this register back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49679/25]

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, local authorities are required to maintain a Derelict Sites Register, indicating any land which, in the opinion of the local authority, is a derelict site.

A property can be placed on the Derelict Site Register where it is deemed by a local authority to satisfy the criteria under section 3 of the Act i.e. (i) it is in a dangerous or ruinous condition; (ii) it is in a neglected or unsightly condition; or (iii) there is a presence of litter, waste or debris on the site. Section 8(5) of the Act, provides that "The register shall be kept at the offices of the local authority and shall be available for inspection at the offices of the local authority during office hours."

Local authorities are empowered under a number of statutes to acquire land, by agreement or compulsorily, for the purposes of performing any of their functions. Specifically, the number of derelict sites acquired within their functional area by local authorities under the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) is submitted to my Department by local authorities as part of their annual return on the operation of the Act. The 2023 statistics from Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council, are provided in the Table provided. My Department is currently engaged with all local authorities in the process of collecting and collating the 2024 annual returns.

A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Activation Programme was launched by my Department in April 2023. The Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the identification and activation of vacant and derelict properties. It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful in bringing the properties back into use. 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.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is available to those seeking to refurbish a vacant house or building into a permanent home or a rental property. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence or to be made available for rent. Where a property is derelict, a top up grant of €20,000 is available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to €70,000.

From scheme inception in 2022 to end June 2025 Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council had received 353 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications with 328 of these having received approval. 121 grants had been issued upon completion of the relevant works to the properties, with a total value of €6,699,158.