Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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It is good to hear that route is available. I will move on to the derelict sites levy, which I raised earlier with representatives of the National Oversight and Audit Commission. The report outlines that derelict properties are subject to a levy at 7% of their market value. In 2019, that figure was 3%. In 2020, Cork City Council only collected €163,000 of the €3.2 million that was deemed due by the local authority. It also states there were 95 properties on the derelict sites register. I have a couple of issues in this regard. The LGAS is carrying out an audit and I do not believe it has the full information. The report states there are 95 properties on the derelict sites list when we know that figure is much higher. This is not an issue specific to Cork City Council. It is an issue for all 31 local authorities. Thirteen local authorities are not recording any derelict sites at all. This is a failure. It is a financial matter. Millions of euros are not being collected annually. Our guests are the people with oversight of local authorities and how they are conducting their business. This is wrong and needs to be addressed. Is there anything the LGAS can do to ensure that all local authorities have an accurate derelict sites register? They should have accurate figures if they are supplying the LGAS with information. Local authorities should be able to collect all those levies. That money belongs to the citizens and local authorities. It should be spent on services such as parks, roads and public lighting. In Cork city alone, more than €3 million is outstanding.