Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Dec 1960

Vol. 185 No. 9

Committee on Finance. - Derelict Sites Bill, 1960—Money Resolution.

Minister for Local Government (Mr. Blaney)

I move:—

That it is expedient to authorise such payments out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas as are necessary to give effect to any Act of the present session to provide for the acquisition of derelict sites by local authorities, to enable local authorities to require the execution of works on derelict sites by the owners and, in certain circumstances, to execute works on derelict sites at the expense of the owners, to provide for other matters connected with the matters aforesaid and to repeal the Acquisition of Derelict Sites Act, 1940.

Mr. Dillon

It may be appropriate at this stage to raise a matter which has particular reference to the Money Resolution and on which the Minister may be in a position to give us some information now. Certainly, in my constituency and in other areas, it was anticipated that the Derelict Sites Bill would provide, not only facilities for local authorities to deal with derelict sites, but for the owners of derelict sites to receive some grant or assistance where they individually desired to put the site to rights themselves.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the Deputy discussing this on the Resolution?

Mr. Dillon

Yes.

An Ceann Comhairle

Would it not be more appropriate on a section of the Bill?

Mr. Dillon

I thought the Minister on the occasion of the Money Resolution might indicate that certain money was being provided for that purpose and the scale on which it would be given.

Mr. Blaney

This Money Resolution is for the expenses of the Minister in relation to the Derelict Sites Bill. The question that has been raised by the Deputy in regard to grants to private owners of derelict sites for the purpose of putting them in order has been dealt with under the Supplementary Estimate and the grants scheme. The answer I think the Deputy wants is that there are grants available to private owners of derelict sites to help and encourage them to put them into proper condition but is is not under this Money Resolution.

Mr. Blowick

Is it under this Bill?

Mr. Dillon

But it is under this Bill?

Mr. Blaney

It is not necessarily under the Bill. A Supplementary Estimate has been introduced and has been taken in conjunction with the Derelict Sites Bill. It is that Supplementary Estimate and the grants scheme previously announced that deal with the actual grants to individuals, and to committees, development committees, and so on, to assist them to clear up sites.

Mr. Dillon

Is there any section in the Bill which would provide the Minister with an opportunity to recapitulate the grants available to individuals for the clearance of sites?

Mr. Blaney

It is not necessarily tied to the Bill at all. The Supplementary Estimate and the grants scheme, as I explained at the time we introduced it here and announced it in the first instance, are not really tied to the Bill now before the House. Rather, it is a scheme which could apply under the existing law in regard to derelict sites clearance but it will be more widely usable by virtue of the terms of this Bill, if and when it becomes law. If the Bill never became law, there is a grants scheme which, to some extent, can be used and which gives grants to private owners for the clearance of derelict sites.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolution reported and agreed to.