Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to begin by apologising to the Acting Chairman and the Deputies for the fact that I will need to leave early because I have an engagement at the European Council this evening. I have already conveyed apologies to Deputy Pearse Doherty and Mairéad Farrell, and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, who will take over from me in a few moments.

I will quickly answer the question put to me by Deputy Farrell. The Government's Housing for All strategy includes an action from my Department to collect data on vacancy with a view to introducing a vacant property tax. My expectation is that we will receive information relevant to the design of the vacant property tax in the first quarter of next year and I anticipate, in the aftermath of that, I will be able to bring proposals to Government and the Dáil.

The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Act has enabled Revenue to collect certain information on vacant properties in the local property tax, LPT, return forms submitted by residential property owners last month in respect of the new LPT valuation period from 2022 to 2025. This information, together with information from other available sources, will be used to assess the merits and impact of introducing the design of a vacant property tax.

Before introducing the tax, it is important to have a sound understanding of the quantity, locations and characteristics of long-term vacant properties. It is also essential to identify the reasons for vacancy, and whether this is long term or short term in nature. There may be genuine and acceptable reasons for vacancy, such as refurbishment work, the temporary absence of the owner for medical reasons or pending the grant of probate for a deceased person's estate. Appropriate exemptions from any charge will have to be considered in addition to acceptable periods of vacancy.

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