Written Answers Nos. 691-717
691. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to state the total cost of the development levy and water connection waiver for each year it has been in operation to date; and the number of homes each year for which the waiver has applied with a breakdown by local authority area. [39320/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
The Government recognised that measures needed to be put in place to help address cost and viability with a view to incentivising the activation of a pipeline of new housing commencements, and assisting in the delivery of supply as quickly as possible. The Development Contribution Scheme (DCS) waiver applied to all permitted residential development including multi-unit developments, self-build houses and one-off houses, student accommodation and sheltered housing.
The following table provides the total cost of the development contribution scheme waiver and water connection refund scheme for each year of the operation of the schemes and the number of units/developments that availed of the waiver/refund by local authority in respect of the schemes.
|
2023 Cost of DCS Waiver |
€54,488,969 |
|
2024 Cost of DCS Waiver |
€384,828,668 |
|
2025 Cost of DCS Waiver |
€158,644,529 |
|
Number of units that availed of the DCS Waiver |
82,747 |
|
2023 Cost of Water Connection Charge Refund |
€1,670,704 |
|
2024 Cost of Water Connection Charge Refund |
€76,596,502 |
|
2025 Cost of Water Connection Charge Refund |
€173,967,681 |
|
2026 Cost of Water Connection Charge Refund |
€48,626,227 |
|
No. of Units that availed of the Water Connection Charge Refund |
58,083 |
692. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the substantial amount of time that applicants for housing medical priority are having to wait to obtain a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39349/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
Regulation 12 of the 2011 Regulations prescribes the timescales for the processing of applications by local authorities and provides that, subject to conditions, a local authority shall deal with an application within a period of 12 weeks. Different timescales may apply where the local authority requires additional information from the applicant. Local authorities will prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need and ensure that such applications are dealt with within time-frames that are significantly shorter that the statutory maximum.
A revised Social Housing Support Application Form was introduced with effect from 19 April 2021. The form includes an additional form which an applicant who wants to apply for assessment for priority support based on medical need or disability must complete (HMD-Form 1). The form is for anyone applying for social housing or a social housing transfer due to a disability or medical grounds. The purpose of the HMD1 form is to obtain sufficient information to allow the local authority to assess the nature of the applicant’s circumstances and determine the most suitable housing solution for them. The assessment of applications for social housing support, including determining medical priority, is a matter for individual local authorities.
693. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason there are currently no guidelines for industrial solar complexes; and when these guidelines will be established and implemented [39436/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters, in respect of the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030. This includes the preparation of a National Planning Statement in relation to solar energy development.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.
In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these National Planning Statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the DCEE as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy in order to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of this National Planning Statement, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), battery storage facilities and the possible timeframe for publication of the National Planning Statement.
In the interim it is the case that, as with the vast majority of development types, there are not specific guidelines for the development of solar energy. I am satisfied that the existing and evolving planning system, supported by Government policy more generally, provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the rollout of solar energy development in a sustainable manner and to assist with meeting our renewable electricity requirements while balancing the perspectives of local communities and allowing for public and stakeholder engagement.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding solar energy development, with opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft National Planning Statement.
694. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Question No. 346 of 14 May 2026, to provide a brief description each under subhead and programme level outturns. [39474/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA brief description of each subhead is set out in the attached document. The subhead description is based on the format of the 2025 subheads.
Details of the subhead and programme level outturns, including notes where there is a significant variation compared to the allocation, are published by the Comptroller and Auditor General at the following link:
Appropriation Accounts - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General
www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/
It should be noted that the 2025 Appropriation Account will be published later this year following the audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
695. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in relation to the construction of a new project in County Laois (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39507/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 & 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects. Project consideration stages from a Department perspective include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of a site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of a preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages - each step subject to approval from my Department.In April 2026, I announced the Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2026-2030, with a funding allocation of €328.5m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
• Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
• established Health and Safety needs;
• state of development of the project;
• value for money offered by the proposal; and
• the totality of requests from all authorities.New fire stations for Stradbally and Rathdowney have been prioritised for funding under the Fire Services Capital Programme 2026 – 2030. I understand Laois County Council signed contracts for the construction of the new Stradbally Fire station in April 2026 and broke ground on the project in recent days. Regarding the Rathdowney fire station project, my Department conveyed approval to progress the project to full design and cost plan stage earlier this year. It is Laois County Council's expectation that they will seek approval to appoint design consultants for the new Rathdowney fire station in the coming months.My Department will work closely with Laois County Council to progress their identified priority infrastructural projects during the lifetime of the fire service Capital programme 2026 -2030, within the context of the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide for capital funding.
696. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the newly established invasive species bureau, formed between the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, and the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC), have a role in policy decisions regarding the management of invasive freshwater fish species in Lough Corrib SAC, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39568/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of the legislative framework around invasive alien species in Ireland, including the 2024 European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations (SI 374/2024) which give effect in the national context to the EU IAS Regulation (1143/2014).
However, management and control of invasive alien species is a matter not exclusively for my Department. Other agencies, such as IFI, have an important role to play.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has the statutory responsibility for the protection, development, and management of Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources and undertakes a range of work tackling invasive alien species on our inland waters including in Lough Corrib.
On the 19 May 2026, I announced a new partnership between the NPWS and the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) which will establish, for the first time in Ireland, an Invasive Species Bureau.
The Invasive Species Bureau formalises the partnership between NPWS and the NBDC to support implementation of the EU Regulation on invasive species, and to strengthen Ireland's approach to managing them.
With the new Bureau in place, work will now begin on a new National Invasive Species Management Strategy for Ireland.
697. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason Irish freshwater catchments were never designated as 'cyprinid' under Article 2 of Council Directive 78/659/EEC, considering that his legacy department introduced S.I. No. 293/1988 - European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations, under Council Directive 78/659/EEC, which designated waters as 'salmonid' in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39569/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCertain waters were designated as salmonid waters under the European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations, 1988 (SI No. 293 of 1988) which transposed EU Directive 78/659/EEC, known as the Fresh Water Fish Directive. The regulations prescribed quality standards which were required to be met by the designated waters and provided for sampling, analysis of samples, register of sampling results and related matters.
The EU Directive 78/659/EEC directive conferred discretion on member states as to the waters to be designated and their designation as salmonid or as cyprinid waters. Historically the waters designated as salmonid waters by the 1988 regulations provided a good geographical spread and comprised a representative selection of such waters. They did not comprise a comprehensive inventory of salmonid and cyprinid waters given that virtually all waters in Ireland are potentially capable of supporting salmonid or cyprinid fish species.
The Fresh Water Fish Directive was subsequently repealed in 2013 and replaced with the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) which sets water quality standards and objectives for all natural waters, thereby protecting all freshwater fish species.
698. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the works that will be undertaken this year and planned for 2026 on a restoration project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39574/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe restoration of the Ulster Canal is a major cross-border project principally funded by the Shared Island Fund and my Department. The project is being delivered by Waterways Ireland in three phases:
• Phase 1 from Upper Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson (completed in 2019)
• Phase 2 from Clones to Clonfad (completed June 2024), and
• Phase 3 Castle Saunderson to Clonfad (underway).
Phase 3 is the longest stretch at 10km and includes 10km of new and refurbished navigable canal, towpath, bridges, locks, marina and service blocks. Phase 3 has four sub-phases:
• Sub-phase 3.1 from Castlesaunderson to Gortnacarrow
• Sub-phase 3.2 from Gortnacarrow to Clonoony
• Sub-phase 3.3 Clonoony to Derrynure
• Sub-phase 3.4 Derrynure to Clonfad
Waterways Ireland has appointed a dedicated project lead for this phase and the detailed design for sub-phases 3.1 and 3.2 is progressing well. In addition, the tender process for the detailed design of sub-phase 3.3 has commenced.
Waterways Ireland continues to progress the land acquisition process for all sub-phases and is liaising with all relevant stakeholders including the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in Northern Ireland and affected landowners in relation to the project.
There has been extensive engagement by Waterways Ireland with Monaghan County Council (MCC) in relation to the planning application for sub-phase 3.3. Following observations received on the planning application, a revised application has been submitted to MCC. A decision on this application is expected shortly.
It is anticipated that, subject to the successful completion of the land acquisition process, a contractor for construction of sub-phases 3.1 and 3.2 will be appointed in 2026 and that construction works will commence later this year.
699. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of septic tank inspections carried out in each local authority area in 2024 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39618/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra700. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and percentage of septic tank inspections which failed due to risks to drinking water contamination, groundwater contamination, river pollution, structural defects, maintenance failures and desludging failures respectively, in each of the past five years. [39619/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra701. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of septic tank advisory notices which remain unresolved for more than six months, one year and two years respectively, by local authority area. [39620/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra702. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department maintains a national database identifying septic tank failures located near private drinking water wells or public water catchment areas. [39621/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra703. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of enforcement proceedings initiated by local authorities arising from septic tank inspection failures in each of the past five years. [39622/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra704. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of prosecutions, fines or legal enforcement actions taken arising from unresolved septic tank inspection failures since 2020. [39623/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra706. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total funding allocated and drawn down under septic tank remediation grant schemes in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [39625/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 699 to 704, inclusive, and 706 together.
Domestic Wastewater Treatment System (DWWTS) inspections and grant schemes are administered by local authorities, supported by national policy, funding and oversight arrangements provided by my Department and, where appropriate, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA publishes annual national reports which include aggregated information on inspection and compliance outcomes. These reports are available on the EPA website. The detailed operational data sought in relation to inspection numbers by local authority area, inspection failure categories, advisory notices, enforcement actions and prosecutions is held by individual local authorities and is not held centrally in the consolidated format requested.
The following table sets out funding paid under the Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems Grant Scheme in each of the past five years:
|
Year |
Grants paid under NIP* |
Grants paid under HSOCA** |
Grants paid under PAA*** |
Total grants paid |
Total amount paid |
|
2021 |
156 |
8 |
- |
164 |
€753,833 |
|
2022 |
196 |
5 |
10 |
211 |
€981,109 |
|
2023 |
190 |
4 |
- |
194 |
€919,389 |
|
2024 |
240 |
19 |
6 |
265 |
€2,491,337 |
|
2025 |
409 |
34 |
17 |
460 |
€4,772,169 |
* National Inspection Plan
** High Status Objective Catchment Areas
*** Prioritised Areas for Action
My Department continues to work closely with local authorities and the EPA to support the effective inspection, remediation, and management of domestic wastewater treatment systems with the objective of improving water quality outcomes and protecting public health.
705. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any public health risk assessment has been conducted regarding septic tank failures in areas dependent on private wells for drinking water. [39624/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra707. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has assessed whether current septic tank remediation grants are sufficient to cover full remediation costs in rural Ireland. [39626/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra708. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any review is planned of the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems in light of the continued septic tank inspection failure rate exceeding 50%. [39627/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 705, 707 and 708 together.
The inspection of domestic wastewater treatment systems is carried out by local authorities under the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems, prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Plan is risk-based and targets areas where there is a greater potential risk to rivers, groundwater and private wells.
The protection of public health and water quality underpins this risk-based approach, including in relation to private wells and groundwater sources. Inspections are designed to identify systems that may pose a risk and to ensure remedial action is taken where required.
Under the Water Services Act 2007 (as amended), the National Inspection Plan prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency operates on a five-year cycle. A statutory review is provided for in advance of each new iteration of the Plan and no separate formal mid-cycle review is provided for. The next Plan is due to taken effect from 2027.
Grant assistance is available under the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) Grant Scheme where systems are defective and meet eligibility criteria. This includes cases where a system has failed inspection and received an Advisory Notice, or where systems are located in areas identified as being at particular risk to water quality. This provides targeted support to householders for necessary remediation works.
The scheme provides grants of up to €12,000 to support the cost of necessary remediation works, including repair or replacement of defective systems. In the normal course property owners are responsible for the proper installation and maintenance of their systems and funding the associated costs. Grant assistance is available only on an exceptional basis.
709. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage whether consideration is being given to introducing Irish-specific statutory guidance on toilet provision ratios in public buildings rather than reliance on external British Standards. [39742/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra710. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage whether building control authorities are provided with any national enforcement guidance regarding assessment of compliance with sanitary provision standards under Technical Guidance Document G [39744/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra711. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage whether any national audit has been conducted into compliance levels for sanitary provision standards in public entertainment venues. [39745/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra712. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage whether the Department maintains statistics on complaints relating to inadequate toilet provision in public buildings. [39746/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 709, 710, 711 and 712 together.
As Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage I have responsibility for the Building Regulations that set out the minimum legal requirements for the construction of new buildings and certain works to existing buildings. The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the second schedule to the building regulations. These requirements are set out in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M). The related Technical Guidance Documents (‘TGDs’)(Parts A - M respectively) provide technical guidance on how to comply with the regulations in practical terms.
The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is delegated under the Building Control Act to the local Building Control Authorities (i.e. the 31 local authorities). They have strong powers of inspection, enforcement and prosecution and are independent in the exercise of their statutory powers.
The Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Buildings and Works (September 2016) provides guidance with respect to inspecting and certifying works or a building for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations, including guidance on the various roles and responsibilities from commencement through to completion. No national audit has been conducted by my Department into compliance levels for sanitary provision standards in public entertainment venues.
The TGDs refer to many technical specifications, codes of practice, and other documents, including British Standards. These documents are quoted solely for the purpose of providing additional appropriate technical guidance to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations. The Building Regulations and their associated TGD’s are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment, and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation.
It is not within the remit of my Department to collect or collate data or complaints in relation to the usage of sanitary facilities in public entertainment venues or public buildings.
713. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if his Department will intervene directly in this case; if his Department is aware of such issues in other local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39841/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the legacy Affordable Scheme is a function of the relevant Local Authority. The sale and resale relating to the legacy affordable schemes is set out under section 99 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, and section 9 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002. The Acts set out provisions relating to resale of homes made available under those schemes. Section 99(1) and 9(2) of the respective Acts state that the sale of any home through the legacy schemes shall be subject to any conditions the housing authority may specify. As my Department is not party to the contracts between each Local Authority and the respective purchasers, I am not in a position to comment or intervene on such cases.
715. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether planning permission can be extended where the construction company needs a short period of extension to complete projects, where the project is underway but planning permission may be due to expire before completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39903/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 40 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Act of 2000), the default duration, or “appropriate period”, of planning permission is five years. Section 41 of the Act off 2000 provides that a planning authority or the Commission may, having regard to the nature and extent of the development and any other material consideration, to specify an appropriate period of not less than 2 years, and in the case of residential development, not more than 10 years.
By way of an application made by the holder of a planning permission, section 42 of the Act of 2000 allows a planning authority to extend the appropriate period of the permission by such additional period (not exceeding 5 years) as that authority considers necessary to enable the development to be completed. Such an extension is subject to the planning authority being satisfied that the development was commenced before the expiration of the permission, that substantial works have been carried out, that the development will be completed in a reasonable time, and that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and an appropriate assessment (AA) would not be required for the proposed extension. An extension under section 42 may not be made more than twice, and where a second extension is made, the combined duration of the two extensions cannot exceed 5 years.
It is a matter for the relevant planning authority to determine, on a case by case basis, whether the conditions for extending the duration of a permission are satisfied.
When brought into operation, Chapter 5 of Part 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) will provide a new procedure for alterations of a planning permission and/or extensions to the duration of a permission. It is important to note that for a 3-year period (that commenced on the enactment of the Act of 2024 on 17 October 2024) a transitional provision at section 140(14) of the Act of 2024 allows section 42 of the Act of 2000 to continue to apply, notwithstanding its repeal, with respect to a permission granted under the Act of 2000 or a permission granted under section 9 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. This is to give certainty and clarity to holders of planning permissions regarding how an application for an extension of duration is dealt with during the transition of the planning system from the Act of 2000 to the Act of 2024.
716. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount currently outstanding nationally in unpaid derelict sites levy arrears; the amount outstanding by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39904/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra717. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict sites levy imposed, collected and outstanding in each year from 2020 to 2025, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39905/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra718. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sites on each local authority derelict sites register in each year from 2020 to 2025; the number added and removed annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39906/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra719. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict sites levy debt written off by local authorities in each year since 2020, broken down by local authority and reason for write-off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39907/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra720. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has assessed the accuracy and legal robustness of local authority derelict sites registers following reports of inaccurate records leading to levy write-offs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39908/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 716 to 720, inclusive, together.
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. The derelict sites returns are collected in Quarter 2 of the following year. Derelict Site statistics returned by the Local Authorities for the years 2020-2024 are in the attached tables. Regarding the number of derelict sites levy debt written off each year, that information does not form part of the yearly return and therefore my department does not hold this information.
Under Section 26 of the Act if, in the opinion of a local authority, payment of the derelict sites levy would cause undue hardship to the person, the local authority may suspend action or further action to secure payment of the whole or part of the amount of the levy for a defined period to be set out in a notice to the landowner.
The intention to introduce 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. Levies under the Derelict Sites Act that remain outstanding when the new tax is introduced will remain as charges on the relevant property and will be the responsibility of each local authority to collect.
Each local authority is required to prepare an Annual Financial Statement, setting out its financial position at year end, by end of March of the following year. These financial statements undergo an independent audit by the Local Government Audit Service who then prepare an Audit Report for each local authority. The Audit Reports are published on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/audit-reports-2024/.
