To ask the Minister of Finance (i) for her assessment of the number of private properties that are currently uninhabitable due to dereliction and neglect; and (ii) to detail any (a) cross-departmental work; and (b) work with the private sector, she has planned to bring these properties back into use.

ANSWER

Property that is uninhabitable because it is derelict does not have a rateable value, and Land & Property Services (LPS) does not hold information for such property. Property that is uninhabitable due to neglect may still attract a rateable value because the property is capable of repair, however LPS does not hold details in its systems to identify all such property.

I have no plans at this time. Housing strategy is led by the Department for Communities and I look forward to working with that Department within the context of my Ministerial portfolio.