Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
695. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is aware of a property (details supplied) in Cork city that has been reportedly vacant for five years and is causing issues for tenants in the property next door; and whether an application for repair of the property has ever been made by Cork City Council. [15120/24]
View answerTackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I launched in January 2023, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes.
Under the Action Plan, a CPO Activation Programme was launched in April 2023. The Programme supports a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to the activation of vacant properties,.
It also includes guidance for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.
Under the Action Plan, I announced a €150 million Urban Regeneration Development Fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties for re-use or sale, using their compulsory purchase powers were necessary. The Fund will be replenished from the proceeds received from the sale or reuse of a site, allowing a local authority to establish a rolling programme to tackle vacancy.
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 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. Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites; acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily; and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.
It is a matter for local authorities to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.
The most efficient home to deliver is one which already exists. I firmly believe that the commitment this Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes and revitalising local communities.
