Mr. Gordon Daly:

It is my sense that those who have the ability, resources and will to go on and solve the problem and take the property out of dereliction or vacancy will react to the levy. This is for the simple reason that they can accumulate quite quickly. Our staff, who are dealing with people sensitively, will articulate that. They will tell them that there could easily be €15,000 in levies being accrued within two years on a property. They will ask if they would not be better off putting that money into the property. If people have the ability, funds and will to do it, the levy will generally incentivise them to get on with doing it. However, if they are not in a position to do it, and there is no owner that can be found, the levy is something that will continue to accrue. It does focus the attention on property owners who are in the position. They may have put it on the long finger. They may have intended to get on with doing this. Therefore, both the risk of the levy and the attractive nature of the grant that is in place at the moment are having that desired effect.