Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When we get the full data and having looked at the legitimate exemptions that are provided for in law in terms of the vacant homes tax, the number of people who are directly impacted will not be as high as some are suggesting. I do not think the yield will be as high as some people might think either because of the exemptions that are in place, and which need to be there. That is just that whole area of habitable properties. When I look at the derelict sites issue, however, I see that the levies collected in 2021 came in at just over €1 million and the amount levied was just over €5 million. Presumably, therefore, some of the money has yet to come in or may have may have come in in recent months. I do not think that is a system that is fully working. That is why the working group has a very important task on its hands. We have too much dereliction in Ireland. We have the carrot now; we need to make sure the stick is working too. I will do whatever I can in my role.

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