Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2017
116. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to the publication of the Action Plan for Rural Development, and under Pillar 1, action No. 8, when a review of derelict sites legislation will be carried out with a view to assisting in the revitalisation of towns and villages; the timeframe for the completion of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8937/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLead responsibility for the Action Plan for Rural Development , which was launched on 23 January 2017, rests with my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. However, as the proposal listed at Action 8 therein relates to a planning matter, its delivery falls to my Department.
The proposed action, which was also reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government published in May 2016, is indicative of the ambitious priority attached to urban regeneration by the Government, is one of a series of specific actions to facilitate the regeneration of our urban centres, many of which were adversely impacted by the economic downturn. The Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness- Rebuilding Ireland, published in July 2016, further reinforces the Government’s commitment to the area of urban regeneration.
To drive forward consideration and implementation of these actions, a Working Group, which I chair and which also involves senior representatives from my Department, local authorities and other relevant actors, has been established to bring forward proposals for new urban regeneration measures as early as possible. It is intended that the new measures will complement the existing regeneration activities under my Department's Social Housing Capital Programme, as well as other social regeneration initiatives already underway. As part of its deliberations, the Working Group is also evaluating the use of the derelict sites legislation to address the problem of dereliction in many urban centres. I expect the Working Group to be in a position to report in Q2 2017, the results of which will inform a review of the derelict sites legislation by the final quarter of 2017, as envisaged in the Action Plan for Rural Development.
