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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Nov 1978

Vol. 310 No. 2

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

34.

asked the Minister for the Environment if the Derelict Sites Act is being operated to any worth-while extent; and if there are grants available.

The purpose of the Derelict Sites Act, 1961 is to provide a 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. Details of its operation are not available to me but I have no grounds for concluding that it is not being used, where appropriate, by the local authorities. The Act itself makes no provision for grants but where clearance of a derelict site can be incorporated in a suitable project, local authorities can avail of grants provided, for example, under the environmental improvement works scheme.

Arising from the Minister's reply could I ask the Minister if in fact, apart from the Act itself, the grants which were heretofore available are not now available? Is there a grant scheme to the individual owner of a derelict site who clears, whether by his own volition or at the behest of the local authority? Is there any grant or assistance?

No, not as such. Derelict site grants were payable from 1960 to 1971 to local authorities and local associations carrying out works to clear or improve derelict sites. The grants were 50 per cent of the approved cost of the work subject to a maximum grant of £100. The new amenities grant scheme introduced in 1972 replaced the derelict site and amenity grant schemes which have been in operation since 1960 and 1962 respectively. The amenity grants scheme was discontinued in 1975. I would suggest that local authorities should consider carrying out these works in conjunction with road improvement works and also with the assistance of the environmental improvement works scheme.

Would the Minister have an evaluation done as to the effectiveness of the operation of the Act by various local authorities? It is quite evident that they are not operating it as they did in the past. If he finds that this is so, would he consider re-introducing some direct assistance to the owners of derelict sites to help them to motivate the idea of clearing them, as they did in the sixties but for various reasons this seems to have tapered off?

I have been looking at this situation quite recently. I am investigating the feasibility of doing something positive on the lines suggested by the Deputy.

Would the Minister be good enough to contact local authorities and ask them for their opinion of the operation of the Derelict Sites Act? I agree with what Deputy Blaney has said, I am sure the Minister would find that the Derelict Sites Act is not being operated and that its powers are not strong enough. In Dublin there are over 200 acres of derelict sites about which nothing is being done. Would the Minister write to the local authorities and ask them their views in this matter?

The powers are strong enough but the Act is not being operated.

The Minister said he had no information that the situation was as has been stated today. Will he ask the local authorities about this matter?

I am looking into this position in relation to the operation of this Act.

How can the Minister look into it unless he asks the local authorities?

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

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