Fine Gael TD raises need for greater enforcement, faster regeneration projects and practical supports for communities in Cork North West
Deputy John Paul O’Shea TD has called on local authorities to take stronger and more proactive action to tackle dereliction, especially in towns and villages across Cork North West. While acknowledging the progress made through vacant property grants and engagement with property owners, he says a tougher approach is now needed to address the more difficult cases.
Deputy O’Shea raised the issue in the Dáil with the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, stressing that dereliction remains one of the most visible challenges facing communities throughout rural Ireland.
Deputy O’Shea acknowledged the positive work already undertaken through vacant property grants and direct engagement by local authorities, which has encouraged some owners to renovate properties or put them up for sale.
“I want to acknowledge the work that has been done to date. The vacant property grants have provided an important incentive for owners to bring properties back into use, while local authorities have also done valuable work by contacting owners directly and encouraging them to take action. In a number of cases, that engagement has resulted in properties being put up for sale, which is a positive outcome.
“However, I believe we have now reached the stage where much of the low-hanging fruit has been dealt with. The properties that were relatively straightforward to bring back into use have increasingly been addressed, but a significant number of long-standing derelict buildings remain in our towns and villages.
“These are often the more difficult cases, where properties have been left deteriorating for years despite efforts to encourage owners to act. We cannot continue to rely solely on grants and voluntary engagement to resolve every situation. We now need a stronger and more robust response.”
Deputy O’Shea said local authorities must be prepared to use the full range of powers available to them, including compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) where appropriate, to address persistent dereliction.
“Where all reasonable efforts to engage with an owner have failed, and a property continues to blight a town centre or represents a lost opportunity to provide housing or commercial space, compulsory purchase must be considered.
“I am not suggesting that a CPO should be the first step in every case. Owners should be engaged with, reasonable opportunities to address the problem should be provided, and each case must be considered on its own merits. However, where a property has been allowed to deteriorate for years and there is no meaningful progress, local authorities must be willing to take the next step.
“The powers are there for a reason. We need to ensure councils have the staff, legal expertise and resources to use them effectively, rather than allowing difficult cases to remain unresolved indefinitely.”
Deputy O’Shea also called for stronger coordination between the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Housing to ensure local authorities are properly equipped to pursue enforcement action and bring derelict properties back into productive use.
He welcomed Government supports such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town Centre First policy, but said funding must be accompanied by effective implementation and measurable progress.
Concluding, Deputy O’Shea said “Dereliction is not simply an issue of neglected buildings. It affects the appearance and confidence of our towns, undermines local businesses and leaves valuable property unused at a time when housing is desperately needed.
“We have made progress, and that work should be recognised. But we must now confront the more difficult cases that remain. Local authorities need to be proactive, persistent and prepared to use their statutory powers, including CPOs where justified.
“Our objective must be to turn derelict properties into homes, businesses and community assets. The people of Cork North West deserve to see continued progress, and we need a clear determination to ensure that long-standing dereliction is no longer allowed to persist without meaningful action.”
No.9 John Redmond Street, Cork City. Properties believed to be vacant/dereliction. Photo Courtesy: Frank O’Connor & Jude Sherry, Anois
