Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

A very conservative approach is being taken to this. Revenue has constantly denied the existence of an issue. All of us as public representatives from our experience in canvassing or delivering leaflets see it, especially at election time when calling to a clearly vacant house and there is nobody on the register. It is a significant problem, yet there seems to be no great appetite to address it. Why is that? From a political perspective, there has not been much enthusiasm. Maybe it is because the aim of this is to bring houses back into use and Revenue is not likely to raise much revenue from it. It is a key issue in addressing the housing crisis.

I want the Minister to answer some of the questions contained here. What is the source of Revenue data in regard to this? Given the huge variation, where the CSO is taking about more than double the number of properties Revenue is talking about, how can the Minister ensure better data is used and there is a greater awareness among people of their responsibilities?

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