Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1212. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of sites that were removed from the vacant site registers in 2019; the number of sites that were inspected to ensure compliance with the vacant site levy rules and regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8971/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department does not maintain a central register of vacant sites, as each local authority administers the vacant site register in respect of their own functional area, the Department does engage proactively with local authorities with a view to ensuring that the vacant site levy achieves its full potential in terms of bringing concerned sites into productive use. In this regard, the Department issued Circular PL 09/2019 on 13 November 2019 requesting a progress report on implementation of the Vacant Site Levy to be completed by the Director of Planning in each Local Authority.
Progress report returns were received from all of the 31 local authorities which indicated that, as of 31 October 2019, there were 359 sites listed on local authority registers. Since the introduction of the levy, over 200 sites have been removed from registers due to, for instance, development commencing on sites, sites being sold and purchased with the intention of development or appeals, with additional sites being added over the same period.
In this connection, the progress reports indicated the following:
- 50 sites have been removed from registers due to development commencing.
- 47 other sites have changed ownership (the new owner will likely have bought the site with the intention of development).
- 71 planning applications have been submitted in respect of sites included on vacant site registers which has resulted in 47 planning permissions to date. When these permissions are activated, these sites can be removed from the registers.
My Department does not have information on the total number of sites inspected by local authorities for the purpose of implementing the vacant site levy provisions.
