Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
875. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict sites on the local authorities derelict site register for each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37766/23]
View answer876. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the unpaid derelict site levies due to each local authority over the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37767/23]
View answer879. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to assist local authorities to enforce and collect the 7% annual derelict sites levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37770/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 875, 876 and 879 together.
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.My Department initiated a review of the Derelict Sites Act in November 2021 and invited local authorities to make initial submissions on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. A focused working group of nominated staff members from a number of local authorities was subsequently established. It is expected that the report of the group will be finalised in the coming months. I will consider the recommendations contained in the report once it is received.
The scope for the engagement of additional staff resources in local authorities to assist in the more effective enforcement and implementation of the provisions of the Act is also being explored in my Department in the context of an ongoing review of the staff resourcing needs of local planning authorities generally.
The attached spreadsheet provides the information requested regarding the number of properties on local authority registers, the amount of levies paid and the amount of levies outstanding.
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