Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
359. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of compulsory purchase orders of derelict or vacant houses made by each of the 31 local authorities, for each year 2020 to 2024 and so far in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66904/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of dereliction levy orders made by each of the 31 local authorities across the country, and the total sums collected, for each year 2020 to 2024, and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66905/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.
Addressing vacancy and dereliction is a key priority for Government.
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site as defined in the Act. 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.
Each local authority maintains a Derelict Sites Register under section 8 of the Act for sites which they consider are derelict under the Act. Sites entered on the Derelict Sites Register are subject to an annual derelict sites levy of 7% of market value which will continue to apply until the site is rendered non-derelict.
However, the placing of sites on the Register and the collecting of levies on those sites is part of the overall process that Local Authorities undertake with the owners of derelict sites they identify. Local Authorities will engage directly with site owners in the early stages of the use of the Derelict Sites Act before the site is formally listed on the Register. This direct engagement can often lead to resolution of the dereliction issues by agreement between the Local Authority and the landowner involved, which can lead to significant variation in the number of sites being formally placed on the Register across local authorities.
Local Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in their functional areas. My Department is currently engaged in the process of finalising the 2024 returns and this data will be published shortly. The Data requested for 2020 to 2023 is set out in the attached Table.
A Derelict Property Tax was announced in Budget 2026 and it is intended to introduce legislation providing for the tax in 2026. When it comes into effect, the tax will replace the Derelict Sites Levy and will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners. The new tax will support the many existing measures introduced to tackle dereliction by providing a strong behavioural deterrent to those who allow their property and land to fall into disrepair and to remain so. Levies that remain outstanding when the new tax is introduced will remain as charges on the property and will be the responsibility of each local authority to collect.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, published in January 2023, set out the range of actions taken to return vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. The 2025 Progress Report shows the significant progress that is being made and it is available on my Department's website at the following link: gov - Vacant Homes Action Plan 2023-2026 (www.gov.ie) (www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/).
The CPO Activation Programme encourages a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to address vacancy and dereliction.
Local authorities are identifying vacant and derelict properties and engaging with owners to bring these properties back into use using the wide range of schemes now in place. This includes using their compulsory purchase powers where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful. While local authorities vary in their willingness to use compulsory purchase powers, the Department is working to support local authorities to strengthen their activation response to vacancy and dereliction.
As part of the Programme, my Department, along with the Housing Agency, are providing guidance and supports for local authorities to actively use their powers under the Housing Act and Derelict Sites Act.
My Department has published CPO Activation Programme data for 2023 and 2024 on its website, which can be accessed at the following link: [Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) Activation Programme] (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/bdfef028/CPO_Activation_Programme_-_LA_use_of_CPO_powers.pdf).
Furthermore, the Programme for Government includes a range of commitments to tackle vacancy and dereliction, and a commitment to update and strengthen Compulsory Purchase Order powers. These powers can be used for a number of different purposes and the need for reform of CPO legislation related to vacancy will be considered in the context of the broader review of CPO arrangements.
