Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his warm wishes; I appreciate that.

He reeled off a number of statistics and issues with regard to employment and education, which are key. Without somewhere to live, however, it is difficult to get through any kind of employment or education. The most important statistics for people out there are that rents and house prices have never been higher and homelessness has never been higher. The Taoiseach said he is doing everything to try to turn that around.

In a recent report, however, the National Economic and Social Council said the fastest way to increase the supply of housing is to bring in a vacant and derelict properties tax. The Social Democrats has suggested a punitive 10% tax on vacant homes. Inexplicably, the Government waited until this year to introduce a tax on vacant homes and then set it at a derisory 0.3% of the value of a home. If the Taoiseach is doing everything to turn it around now, will he increase the rate so that it actually acts as a deterrent?

In Denmark, if a property owner moves out of his or her home, he or she has to approach his or her local authority within six weeks so it can be rented out or else that person has to try to sell it. That recommendation was made in 2020. Why has the Taoiseach not acted on that either?

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