356. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times he has issued notices or directions to respective local authorities under section 12 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990, in each respective year from 2020 to 2023 inclusive, and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41094/24]

The Derelict Sites Act 1990 requires every owner and occupier of land, including a statutory body and a State authority, to take all reasonable steps to ensure that land does not become or does not continue to be a derelict site. It also requires that local authorities take 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.

Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites, acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily, and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.

It is a matter for local authorities to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.

The utilisation of Ministerial powers under Section 12 of the Derelict Site Act 1990 has not arisen during the period 2020 to date.