Addressing vacancy and maximising the use of existing housing stock is a primary concern of this Government, as demonstrated by one of the four pathways dedicated solely to this priority area in the new Housing for All strategy. The most recent figures available from Census 2016 indicate that there were 183,000 vacant homes nationwide, a 20% reduction on figures reported in Census 2011 (230,000).
However, work is underway by the Department of Finance through the current Local Property Tax returns to assess the present vacancy situation and once collated and analysed this data will contribute to a number of policy initiatives outlined in Housing for All, including:
- A new local authority-led programme to help Local Authorities buy or compulsory purchase 2,500 vacant homes in their areas which can then be sold on the open market will ensure homes don’t lie vacant.
- Reform of the Fair Deal Scheme to remove disincentives to selling or renting unused homes.
- The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will be delivered by local authorities for the provision of serviced sites for housing, to attract people to build their own homes and to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages, in a sustainable way.
- A new Town Centre First policy, which will include approaches to utilising existing stock and new financial incentive mechanisms.
These measures are in addition to the vacant property tax consideration being pursued by the Department of Finance.
My Department issued Circular Letter PL 09/2021 on 17 September 2021 seeking returns from all local authorities regarding the implementation of the Derelict Site Act during 2020. The information received from Cork City Council and Cork County Council is provided below.
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Local Authority:
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Cork City Council
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Notices
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Q.1
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No. of sites in respect of which a notice/demand under the Act issued
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90
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Derelict Sites Register
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Q.2
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No. of Derelict Sites on Register at 1 January 2020
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100
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Q.3
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No. of Derelict Sites entered onto Register during the year
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3
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Q.4
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No. of Derelict Sites removed from Register during the year
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8
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Q.5
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No. of Derelict Sites on Register at 31 December 2020
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95
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Acquisition
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Q.6
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No. of Derelict Sites acquired by agreement
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1
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Q.7
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No. of Derelict Sites acquired compulsorily
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0
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Levy
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Q.8
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No. of Derelict Sites levied during the year
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67
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Q.9
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Amount levied during the year
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€1,739,640
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Q.10
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Amount received in respect of sites levied during 2020
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€163,231
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Q.11
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Cumulative amount of levies outstanding at 31 December 2020
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€3,432,955
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Local Authority:
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Cork County Council
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Notices
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Q.1
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No. of sites in respect of which a notice/demand under the Act issued
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13
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Derelict Sites Register
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Q.2
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No. of Derelict Sites on Register at 1 January 2020
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180
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Q.3
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No. of Derelict Sites entered onto Register during the year
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0
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Q.4
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No. of Derelict Sites removed from Register during the year
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0
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Q.5
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No. of Derelict Sites on Register at 31 December 2020
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180
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Acquisition
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Q.6
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No. of Derelict Sites acquired by agreement
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0
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Q.7
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No. of Derelict Sites acquired compulsorily
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0
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Levy
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Q.8
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No. of Derelict Sites levied during the year
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12
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Q.9
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Amount levied during the year
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€44,700.00
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Q.10
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Amount received in respect of sites levied during 2020
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€900.00
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Q.11
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Cumulative amount of levies outstanding at 31 December 2020
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€44,700.00
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The Department continues to liaise with local authorities on the implementation of the Derelict Sites Act with a view to improving its effectiveness, and continues to keep the relevant provisions under review.