Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2023
241. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an internal inspection of a property is required prior to it being placed on the derelict sites register and, if not, whether he will consider implementing same. [6995/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing vacancy and dereliction, and maximising the use of the existing housing stock, is a priority objective of the Government, as evidenced in Housing for All - where one of the four pathways in the plan is specifically dedicated to this area - and also the recently announced Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme which encompasses derelict properties.
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.
An internal inspection of a property by a local authority is not necessarily required prior to it being placed on the derelict site register. A property can be placed on the register where it is deemed by a local authority to satisfy the criteria of a derelict site under the terms of section 3 of the Act i.e. (i) it is in a dangerous or ruinous condition; (ii) it is in a neglected or unsightly condition; or (iii) there is a presence of litter, waste or debris on the site. I have no plans to amend the existing legislative provisions along the lines suggested at this point in time.
