Compulsory Purchase

Information

Compulsory purchase

The compulsory acquisition of land takes place in Ireland to allow a public infrastructure project to go ahead for the common good. The most widely discussed applications of this refer to road improvement schemes and the LUAS project in Dublin.

The compulsory purchase system is an extremely complex area. You should get the professional advice of a chartered surveyor as soon as you are served with a notice relating to a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). The fees charged by a chartered surveyor are part of a normal claim for compensation.

It is important to remember that you have the right to object, make representations, negotiate, refer to property arbitrators and have your objections heard.

Compensation

If your house and land is compulsorily purchased, you will be eligible for compensation to restore you as far as possible to the same position as you were in before the land and property was acquired.

• You should be paid compensation based on the market value of your property.
• You should be left in the same financial position after the CPO as you were before the process.
• The compensation should reflect both the actual land acquired and the reduction in value, if any, of the retained area as a result of the CPO.