Dereliction row returns to Dáil as TDs slam years of inaction by Wicklow County Council

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Concerns over long‑standing dereliction in Arklow have re‑emerged in the Dáil, with two TDs from different parties criticising what they describe as years of inaction and inconsistent enforcement by local authorities.

The issue has become a focal point in debates on rural regeneration, housing supply and the uneven performance of councils in tackling vacancy.

Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne raised the matter directly with the Taoiseach, arguing that Wicklow County Council has failed to use the powers available to it to address derelict buildings in Arklow.

He contrasted the situation with neighbouring Wexford, where the local authority has taken what he described as a “very active approach” to dereliction, particularly in towns such as Gorey.

Deputy Byrne said the difference in outcomes between the two counties was now visible on the ground.

“Wexford is much more active in tackling dereliction than Wicklow,” he told the Dáil.

“In Arklow, there is a serious problem, particularly in the centre of the town. How can we ensure a consistency of approach between local authorities? How can we ensure that Wicklow County Council will use the powers at its disposal to tackle dereliction?”

Responding, the Taoiseach acknowledged that the Government shared Deputy Byrne’s concerns and confirmed that significant variations exist between councils. He said this inconsistency was a key factor behind the recent Budget decision to transfer enforcement of the derelict sites levy from local authorities to the Revenue Commissioners.

“Some local authorities do far more than others,” he said.

“The view is that Revenue being involved might concentrate minds a bit more and bring about a greater level of performance across the board.”

He added that while national enforcement would help, councils should still be actively pursuing dereliction cases themselves.

The Taoiseach pointed to Limerick as an example of a local authority that had made strong progress, while others had “done very little”. The Government hopes that centralising enforcement will create a more uniform national system, supported by improved mapping and data collection.

The debate comes as Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan also criticised the lack of progress on key projects in Arklow, warning that the town risks missing out on major economic opportunities unless long‑standing deficits in social and community infrastructure are addressed.

Speaking during a separate Dáil debate on rural funding, Deputy Brennan said Arklow had suffered from decades of underinvestment following the decline of major employers such as IFI and Arklow Pottery.

Despite this, he said the town is now “on the crest of a wave”, with a €3.5 billion data centre planned, offshore wind projects in development, a proposed greenway and thousands of new homes in the pipeline.

However, he argued that the town’s basic amenities have not kept pace.

“Arklow has no theatre. It has no community centre. It has no town park,” he said. “I have visited tiny villages in Wexford and Wicklow with fabulous community centres, but a town of 14,000 people still does not have one.”

Deputy Brennan said a building suitable for conversion into a community facility already exists, but requires investment. He called for a commitment that social and capital infrastructure, such as bridges, roads and public amenities would be matched with the expected economic growth.

Both TDs framed Arklow as an example of a wider national issue: towns that experienced industrial decline and have struggled to attract regeneration funding or consistent local authority attention. Deputy Brennan said there were “plenty of Arklows” across the country that had been overlooked for decades.

The renewed political focus comes amid growing public frustration over dereliction and vacancy, particularly in town centres.

National schemes such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the THRIVE regeneration programme have been introduced to support redevelopment, but uptake varies significantly between counties.

The issue has also been highlighted by heritage and environmental organisations.

An Taisce has identified Arklow as one of the towns most affected by dereliction, noting that fragmented ownership, weak enforcement and long‑term vacancy have contributed to the decline of its historic core.

Their assessments emphasise that dereliction is not only a visual blight but also a barrier to sustainable development and town‑centre renewal.

Wicklow County Council increased the number of properties entering the Compulsory Purchase Orders Activation Programme over recent years, with 82 properties added in 2024, up from 64 in 2023, according to departmental figures.

However the data also shows a sharp fall in enforcement activity: Wicklow initiated 11 compulsory purchase or derelict‑site acquisitions in 2023, but just one in 2024.

Completion levels also declined, with six compulsory purchases finalised in 2023 and none recorded in 2024. The figures highlight a notable slowdown in Wicklow’s use of statutory powers to tackle vacancy and dereliction, even as national activity increased across most other local authorities.

Sinn Féin previously introduced the Derelict Sites (Amendment) Bill 2022, which sought stronger enforcement and clearer accountability for levy collection, but government parties voted against it.

For Arklow, the combination of dereliction, missing amenities and major upcoming private investment has placed the town at a crossroads. Local representatives argue that unless enforcement improves and public infrastructure is prioritised, the town may struggle to fully benefit from the economic opportunities ahead.