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

Deputy Bruton is a veteran of these kinds of policy debates and is well versed in the Dáil. He will know as well as I do that it is difficult to bring in tax reliefs and concessions that are short term in nature which can be quickly modified. That said, I know the House will be aware of two other ways in which we are trying to do this. I concur entirely with the Deputy that making use of existing buildings that are in place is not only necessary for responding to our housing needs but is also the most energy-efficient thing to do. The changes that the Minister, Deputy, Darragh O'Brien, has now announced on the fund to provide additional grants to taxpayers to make use of buildings that are currently unused and to broaden the application of that show how the Government is trying to respond to the need that the Deputy has identified. My commitment to introduce a vacant property tax to change the incentives regarding unused property is the other way in which we are aiming to do it. I thank the Deputy for raising these serious matters here today.

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