Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Deputy to hear me out. My understanding, and the figure we were given by the Department of Finance, is that approximately 57,000 is the real figure in terms of habitable vacant properties right now. However, when looking at the different exemptions that are in place for the tax, for example, works going on, the property being up for sale or stuck in probate, and a whole range of other things, the actual number of vacant properties that are habitable - not derelict properties - and that this tax is likely to apply to is probably going to be less than 10,000. That is my honest assessment and understanding of it. If the Deputy has a different figure, I would love to see the detail on it.

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