I listened with interest last week as the Taoiseach scolded local authorities for their inaction or delays in returning void houses to use. However, as someone who served on Wexford County Council for 20 years, one of the things that caused the greatest headaches were large-scale derelict buildings that created dangerous places for young people and children, in particular, to venture into. I think of the old Wexford General Hospital lying dangerously derelict for 33 years. I think of Hookless Village resort in Hook Head in Wexford lying dangerously derelict for 18 years. In the Taoiseach's constituency, St. Kevin's Hospital has been closed since 2002. I think I am correct in suggesting that.

Hookless Village resort is vested in the ownership of the Minister for public expenditure. When a building or a company goes into receivership, it becomes vested in the ownership of the Minister for public expenditure. The HSE owns the rest.

I thank the Deputy. I call the Taoiseach to respond.

Is there anything we can do to resolve these issues?

There are two things. First, many local authorities do a lot of good work in terms of voids. The Deputy has sat on a council. I think all of us have complained over the years where a house, which has been vacated due to tenants leaving for whatever reason, has remained unoccupied for an inordinate length of time. That system has to change. That house should be very quickly reallocated to other tenants on the housing list. In the housing crisis we are in, there is no excuse for not doing that. That is my view.

Second, local authorities have powers under the Derelict Sites Act. I often-----

It is too slow.

There is a lack of application.

Absolutely.

There is a lack of resource application and a lack of desire, in that it is said it is too cumbersome and too difficult. It is there for a reason. The law is complex but you need to be tenacious and you need to persevere. Third, the Deputy will be glad to know that St. Kevin's Hospital in Cork has been taken over by the Land Development Agency, LDA-----

The time is up, Taoiseach.

-----and a very good housing scheme is now being developed there.