Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Finance said that the local property tax returns show low levels of vacancy across the country. The comments from the Minister do not reflect the reality in communities. In Cork city, Jude Sherry and Frank O'Connor have identified 700 derelict properties located within 2 km of the city centre. Data from the national GeoDirectory show at least 90,000 vacant homes and 22,000 derelict homes. Does the Taoiseach accept that the returns from the local property tax are flawed and do not reflect the amount of vacancy that actually exists? Does he accept a survey that was not completed by 380,000 households is not a good source of data on this? When will the Government introduce a tax to bring vacant homes back into use?

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