Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
384. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered reviewing the definition of a site to reduce the minimum size of a site which is currently a site greater than 500 square metres to allow more sites to be included in the Derelict Sites Act 1990. [37108/22]
View answerAddressing vacancy and dereliction, and maximising the use of the existing housing stock, is a priority objective of the Government, as evidenced by the recently published Housing for All - A New Housing Plan for Ireland where one of the four pathways in the plan is specifically dedicated to this area.
My Department continues to liaise with local authorities on the implementation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) with a view to improving its effectiveness. In this regard, my Department initiated a review of the Act in November 2021 and has sought initial submissions from local authorities on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. My Department has now established a focused working group to speedily progress this matter further.
It should be noted that there is no minimum size provision for derelict sites contained in the Act. Accordingly, derelict sites can technically be listed on local authority derelict sites registers once they are deemed to satisfy the criteria specified in the Act i.e. the land detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of -
(a) the existence on the land in question of structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition;
(b) the neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or any structures on the land in question; or
(c) the presence, deposit or collection on the land in question of any litter, rubbish, debris or waste, except where the presence, deposit or collection of such litter, rubbish, debris or waste results from the exercise of a right conferred by statute or by common law.
