I refer to the reply of Question No. 5 on today's Order Paper which sets out the position in relation to the re-use of vacant housing.
While I have no plans at present to undertake a survey in respect of utilisation, vacancy levels and/or occupancy of commercial properties, Action 5.9 of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness commits to reviewing planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial units in urban areas, including vacant or under-utilised areas over ground-floor premises, into residential units without having to go through the planning process. This proposal is also incorporated in Action 6 of the Action Plan for Rural Development, launched in January 2017. My Department is presently progressing the drafting of the necessary revisions to the planning regulations to give effect to this action and it is intended that the new regulations, which will require the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas, will be made as soon as possible in the Autumn.
My Department is also working with Dublin City Council in the context of the Living City Initiative, to explore the potential for further streamlining of the approach to re-developing and re-utilising vacant properties. Dublin City Council has examined approximately 11,000 rateable units in its functional area. From a visual analysis in a sample number of streets, the City Council has estimated that there may be approximately 4,000 vacant units above commercial premises that could potentially be converted into residential use in its functional area. This kind of detailed analysis will be crucial in determining the scale and scope for prioritising the targeting of vacant properties that could quickly be brought back into use.
