David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response and congratulate him on his appointment, as I did not do so when I stood up earlier.

Do the Minister or the Revenue Commissioners have an estimate of how many vacant properties might be liable for VHT? Does the Minister agree that the number he quoted of 6,400 and the actual number that paid the tax is very low? Do the Department or the Revenue Commissioners have any link with the vacancy survey project, which is supported by the Department of housing and carried out by the local authorities? It might give a better indication of how many vacant properties there are. Am I correct that the census showed more than 166,000 vacant properties? Does the Minister agree that is a long way, if it is even partially correct, from the number of vacant properties that are actually paying tax?

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