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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Oct 1975

Vol. 285 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Derelict Sites Act.

14.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is satisfied that the Derelict Sites Act, 1961, is achieving its intended purpose; and, if not, if he will consider initiating amending legislation in this field.

The purpose of the Derelict Sites Act, 1961, is to provide a fair but effective procedure whereby local authorities can secure the clearance and improvement of derelict sites which are in a condition injurious to health or amenities. It is a matter for the local authorities to operate the provisions of the Act as they consider appropriate. I have no grounds for concluding that the provisions are inadequate for their purpose and I do not propose therefore to prepare proposals for amending the Act.

Can the Minister say whether there has been any case within, say, the past three years, when this Act has been put into operation with effect by any local authority?

I do not know but any such matter would be one for the local authority concerned.

This Act, too, is merely another piece of paper.

Would the Minister not receive any notice of the application of the Derelict Sites Act?

Not unless there was an objection to its being invoked. Otherwise the local authority would be the body to use the Act.

Is the non-operation of the Act not due to the abolition of the derelict sites grants?

This is a separate question. The Deputy is introducing extraneous matter.

The derelict sites grants were replaced by amenity grants, but these have been abolished.

I am calling Question No. 15.

What the Deputy is referring to has no bearing on what we are talking about.

Of course it has.

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