1737. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of CPO processes initiated and completions in each local authority in the State for the past three years; and the average time taken to complete these CPOs, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57480/26]

1779. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of compulsory purchase orders initiated under the Vacant Homes Action Plan, by local authority and year since the scheme commenced, in tabular form. [57892/26]

1828. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of residential properties issued a compulsory purchase order, by each local authority in the State in each of the past five years. [58527/26]

1896. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in light of a worsening urban landscape of vacancy and dereliction, he will consider legislating for compulsory sales orders, given some of the delays and complications posed by compulsory purchase orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59195/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1737, 1779, 1828 and 1896 together.

Working to end dereliction and vacancy is a key priority in the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Plan aims to ensure that the activities and resources used to address vacancy and dereliction are co-ordinated and effective and that legislative powers are used proactively to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end.

The Vacant Homes Action Plan outlines the range of initiatives and funding mechanisms that have been introduced in recent years and these measures are successfully reducing the levels of vacancy and dereliction across the country.

The concept of a compulsory sale order relates to a legislative power whereby a public authority may force the sale of a vacant or derelict property, to get the property back into use. The introduction of any such new and untested measure would require a strong policy basis, consideration given to its constitutionality and a legislative basis. It would also presumably require fair procedures for property owners, similar to those already existing under compulsory purchase legislation. This would be in the context of compulsory purchase powers already being available under the Derelict Sites Act and the Housing Act. As such, there are currently no plans to introduce any such measures.

Instead, I am committed to ensuring that the existing legislative powers, which are effective when used, are used proactively and consistently across local authorities to work to bring dereliction and vacancy to an end. To that end, my Department launched a CPO Activation Programme in 2023. This Programme requires local authorities to take a proactive, systematic approach to identifying and activating vacant and derelict properties. 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 under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and the Housing Act 1966, when engagement with the owners of these properties is not successful.

In April this year, my Department published 2025 data on the CPO Activation Programme on its website, which can be accessed at the following link: Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) Activation Programme.

While local authorities vary in their willingness to use compulsory purchase powers, my Department is working to support local authorities to strengthen their activation response to vacancy and dereliction.

Funding is available through Urban Regeneration and Development Fund Call 3, the Social Housing Investment Programme, from the Housing Finance Agency or local authorities' own internal resources, to provide the finance required to acquire vacant and derelict properties, including compulsorily.

As part of the Programme, my Department, along with the Housing Agency, is providing guidance and supports for local authorities to actively use their powers under the Housing Act and Derelict Sites Act.

To further strengthen our approach to tackling this issue, 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 be collected by the Revenue Commissioners.

I firmly believe the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions under Delivering Homes, Building Communities will play a vital role in delivering homes across the country.