Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 May 1994

Vol. 442 No. 3

Written Answers. - Derelict Sites.

Michael McDowell

Ceist:

111 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment in respect of the register for derelict sites required to be established under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990, the number of local authorities which have established a register for the purpose of Part II of the Act; the total amount of derelict land, by area, registered in respect of each local authority for each of the years 1991 to 1993; the number of derelict sites acquired by each local authority under section 14 of the Act; the total amount of compensation paid by each local authority in respect of the acquisition of derelict sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael McDowell

Ceist:

112 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment in respect of the levy on derelict sites provided for in Part III of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990 by local authority area, the total area and value of urban land as determined under section 22 of the Act; the amount of the levy provided for in section 23 of the Act, which was renewed, in respect of each of the years 1991 to 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael McDowell

Ceist:

113 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment whether he has satisfied himself with the operation of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990; the steps, if any, taken by his Department to ensure that the register required to be kept under Part II of the Act by each local authority is being kept; whether he has satisfied himself with the operation of the provisions of Part III of the Act in relation to levies on derelict property; and whether he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Act.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 112 and 113 together.

The specific information sought in relation to the activities of local authorities under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990 is not available in my Department. Derelict sites registers were required to be established within one year of the commencement of the Act on 27 June 1990. The derelict sites levy came into operation in 1992, at a rate of 3 per cent of market value. This rate has not been altered in the meantime.

I am satisfied, on the basis of ongoing contact between my Department and local authorities, that the Act provides the authorities with an effective means of preventing and remedying dereliction. It is the responsibility of the local authorities themselves to make the best use of the comprehensive powers available to them.