Dáil debates

Tuesday, 25 October 2022

Finance Bill 2022: Second Stage

 

7:10 pm

Photo of Chris AndrewsChris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The number of vacant homes in this city is really depressing. According to new data from the Central Statistics Office there are 37,000 vacant homes in Dublin alone. That does not count Dublin City Council vacant homes. Within a short distance from here, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I could bring you to 50 empty flats that could be used if they were brought back to life. It is painfully clear to all who live in the city and those commuting in and out that many of these homes have been left empty for years. Those years of neglect are dragging back the city and communities they are built in. These vacant and neglected homes are being left empty amid the worst housing crisis the State has ever faced. There are thousands upon thousands of people crying out for the chance to have a home in their community, where they grew up and among their family and friends. Sinn Féin has long called for a vacant homes tax in the face of Government opposition. A vacant homes tax must not exclude derelict property and must apply a rate for long-term vacancy. We need an effective vacant homes tax that will push vacant homes back onto the market.

The Minister with responsibility for sports also announced a €35 million package to help sports clubs over this winter. That is absolutely welcome. It is really important that clubs are supported through this crisis. However, over a month has passed. Clubs are really struggling and waiting for clarity and communication about how this payment will be distributed. One issue that many small local sports clubs, which we all know about, have raised with me is concern around how the scheme will be rolled out. They are concerned that many of the bigger clubs, which are well resourced in terms of professional supports and professional members, will get the bulk of the funds and the smaller, less well resourced clubs will get the crumbs. That is a real worry for a lot of small clubs. Bill are mounting fast for clubs. I understand many clubs are reducing the number of nights they train in order to cut the cost of floodlighting and to reduce their energy bills. I seek clarification on how long it will be before there is communication with the clubs on this fund.

Also connected, last week the heavy rainfall affected many of the grass pitches across the country. Particularly in Dublin, the parks authorities called off a lot of pitches, which means they cannot be played on. That really highlights the under-investment in all-weather sports facilities. We need to ensure investment in them. We need all-weather sports facilities and they are not there. We have grass pitches and all they do is cut the grass on them. They do not manage those pitches.

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