James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

GeoDirectory data recorded by The Irish Times identified 14,500 derelict buildings in Dublin city. As the Taoiseach knows, in the programme for Government we have committed to implementing the recommendations of the Dublin city task force. The only way in which that task force can work is if it is fully funded. I acknowledge from replies given by the Tánaiste last Thursday that the interdepartmental group met on four occasions, including as recently as last Tuesday. There is, however, a big change that could be made immediately, which is that Departments that occupy buildings in Dublin city and across Ireland would pay commercial rents. That would generate approximately €30 million for Dublin City Council. That would go a big way towards meeting one of the major recommendations of the task force, which is to increase the funds available to the council to deal with dereliction and vacancy. I know the Department is likely to oppose a change like this but this is why it is in the Taoiseach's Department. I hope he might be able to support us on this change.

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