Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this increase in the vacant homes tax. When we discussed this with the Minister’s predecessor, Deputy Donohoe, I made the point that the introduction of a vacant homes tax was very positive because it is the nudge that is needed sometimes. I understand it is not designed to be a revenue generator but to push people to do something with the home; either to sell it or refurbish it and rent it or whatever. I asked at the time that it be increased to six times rather than three. As I understand, last year it was to be three times the local property tax rate plus the local property tax itself, which would effectively be four times. I want to clarify that this is five times the tax rate plus the tax itself and, therefore, it is actually six times the rate.