Greens see key vacancy proposals adopted in Government's new housing plan

The Green Party welcomes the inclusion of several elements of Senator Malcolm Noonan's Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill in the Government's new housing plan.

Originally introduced by former Green Party TD Steven Matthews in the previous Dáil, the Bill was later brought forward in the Seanad through Senator Noonan’s cross-party group with the Social Democrats and the Labour Party.

Senator Noonan's legislation, which enjoyed cross-party support in both Houses, set out a series of practical reforms to tackle vacancy and dereliction across the country. These include:

• Amending of the Derelict Sites Act to mandate local authorities to CPO derelict sites within their functional area, with any taxes due to be collected by the Revenue Commissioners
• Mandating derelict sites register to be made publicly available online; and
• Streamlining the process for converting existing buildings and above shop premises via a 'one stop shop'

Senator Noonan said:

"When we heard the news that the Government had laid down a timed amendment on our Bill during the summer, it was disappointing for all concerned – not least for those without a home. I am heartened, however, to see Minister Browne include some of the Green Party's practical proposals to tackle vacancy and dereliction in the Government's new housing plan.

These measures were designed to give local authorities the tools that they need to urgently bring long-neglected buildings back into use. We are glad to see them being implemented to drive the regeneration of thousands of these buildings into residential units."

Roderic O'Gorman TD, Green Party leader, added:

"The Green Party has always believed that our villages, town and city centres as viable contributors to the housing crisis - with the proposals in Senator Noonan's legislation exactly the kind of practical, community-based approach the Greens have long championed. Every building that is brought back into use is one more home, and one more reason for people to live in our towns and villages. 

While we cautiously welcome the inclusion of some of these measures in the Government's new housing plan, the next step is ensuring that these changes are backed with sufficient resources to deliver on the targets set by Minister Browne."