Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
375. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding compulsory purchase order powers of local authorities for the provision of housing; how this is being facilitated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42755/23]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. While the reasons for vacancy are often complex, the re-use and regeneration of vacant properties in cities, towns, villages and rural areas can provide much needed housing while also transforming areas and the communities living in them.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I launched in January, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy along with the actions that are being pursued to return as many vacant properties back into use as possible.
As part of the Plan, my Department launched a new CPO Activation Programme in April 2023. It provides for a planned, systematic and proactive approach to bringing vacant and derelict properties into use. Targets have been set for each local authority for the number of identified vacant and derelict properties to enter the Programme and for properties to enter the compulsory acquisition process. The Programme includes guidance and supports for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.
The main steps of the Programme include:
• identification of vacant and derelict properties,
• identification of and engagement with owners,
• communication regarding the various schemes and measures which are now in place to support bringing the property back into use, and
• where owners of vacant and derelict properties cannot be identified or where they are unwilling to engage, use of available legislative powers to compulsory purchase such properties.
Local authorities can compulsorily acquire a property using either the compulsory purchase powers contained within the Housing Act, 1966 and complimentary Planning and Local Government legislation, or by carrying out compulsory acquisitions under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990. The guidance issued by my Department as part of the CPO Activation Programme supports local authorities in using their legislative powers.
Overall, there is a target of 4,000 properties entering the Activation Programme in 2023. These are based on levels of vacancy in the local authority area. Of these, a target of 400 has been set for properties to enter the compulsory acquisition process, where engagement with the owner has not resulted in the vacant or derelict property being brought back into use, to be subsequently used for social housing or made available for sale on the open market.
Each local authority will be required to collate data in relation to the properties entering the Programme and outcomes. My Department will publish the relevant data in due course.
