*Clare TD, Joe Cooney (FG). Photograph: John O’Neill.
LENGTHY processing times for Compulsory Purchase Orders and vesting orders are slowing down housing delivery and efforts to combat dereliction in towns and villages across Co Clare.
Speaking before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Clare TD, Joe Cooney (FG) questioned representatives from Tailte Éireann, the State agency responsible for property registrations, property valuation and national mapping services, including Chief Executive Officer Liam O’Sullivan, on delays affecting local authorities attempting to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use.
Deputy Cooney highlighted that Clare County Council is currently progressing CPOs on 20 properties across the county as part of efforts to address vacancy and increase housing supply. He said that while Government and local authorities have made tackling dereliction and vacancy a priority, councils are facing delays because many CPO and vesting order applications require mapping and first registration, which are among the longest processing categories within Tailte Éireann.
O’Callaghans Mills native Cooney asked what measures are in place to prioritise or speed up these applications given their direct importance to housing delivery, infrastructure projects and the regeneration of towns and villages.
In response, Tailte Éireann CEO Liam O’Sullivan confirmed that a dedicated State property unit exists within the organisation to deal with requests from State bodies and local authorities and said applications can be expedited where requests are made and all required documentation is in order.
Cooney said it is essential that applications linked to housing and regeneration are treated as a priority. “There is huge frustration in communities across Clare and the country when buildings are left vacant while Councils are trying to move projects forward,” he said. “Clare County Council is progressing CPOs on 20 properties, but local authorities need a system that supports them and avoids unnecessary delays. These properties have enormous potential to provide housing and bring life back into towns and villages throughout Clare. We need every State agency working together to make sure projects can move ahead as quickly as possible”.
Deputy Cooney said he will continue engaging with Tailte Éireann and the Department to ensure applications connected to housing delivery and regeneration projects are prioritised.
