Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The CPO process is one that local authorities can use as a last resort when there is no movement but the introduction of a tax would serve as a land and building activation measure. Sometimes property owners just need a nudge in the right direction and introducing a tax would serve as a nudge. I am aware that the reasons for vacancy and dereliction are many and nuanced. The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage produced a report on this issue, to which this morning's Acting Chair, Deputy Higgins, contributed. There was cross-party agreement that we need taxation measures in the form of a dereliction tax and a vacant homes tax. I understand there has been some progress on a vacant homes tax. I will liaise further with the Minister of State on this as we approach the budget because I really believe taxation measures are what is required. Often when buildings sit vacant they have a negative effect on entire street scapes. If we can bring them back into use, that could have a really beneficial effect on towns and villages and local economies, both in terms of their general look and in meeting local housing needs.

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