Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Murphy very much for his question. I very much share his concerns about the impact that vacancy and dereliction can have on our towns and cities throughout the country. It can create the impression of a downturn in that area and this has an impact not just on the local community but in terms of the development of business in the area. I commend Deputy Murphy on coming forward with proposals in respect of tax reliefs and issues such as that. I cannot give the Deputy any assurance today on his proposals, and I know he would not expect me to, but I certainly will pass them on to the Ministers Donohoe and Browne, who are the relevant Ministers and who can appraise the Deputy's suggestion.

It is important to point out that we got new data today from the Central Statistics Office on vacancy and dereliction for the years 2022 and 2023. I am pleased to say they indicate a national vacancy rate of 3.3% at the end of 2023. This is a drop from what it was in 2022 when it was 3.6%. Vacancy appears to be declining based on the statistics that are available from the Central Statistics Office.

I want the Deputy to be aware, and I know he is, that there are already a range of measures being taken by the Government to address vacancy and dereliction. It is my belief, and that of the Government, that they are having real success. The type of measures I am talking about are the vacant property refurbishment grant; the repair and leasing scheme; the €150 million urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, which is a revolving fund, for local authorities; the planning exemptions for conversion of vacant commercial properties; and full-time vacant home officers in every local authority across the country. From what the Deputy is saying about the towns and villages in his constituency, such as Clonmel and other towns and villages, it may not be the case that all those schemes have been availed of. I ask the Deputy to give consideration, or rather that the local authority in Tipperary give consideration, to availing of those schemes because they are very important. They are very useful and effective in responding to dereliction.

At the end of June over 13,700 vacant property refurbishments grant applications were received, there were almost 10,000 approvals, and over 2,800 grants were issued as refurbishment works were completed. This amounts to approximately €155 million paid out to support people in bringing empty dwellings back into use as homes. These are just some of the measures that are being effected at present.

I will report back to the Ministers Donohoe and Browne the Deputy's proposal in respect of tax reliefs. Obviously these can be difficult to craft and sculpt for the purpose of legislation. I note the Deputy's suggestion that it should be limited to the specific property that needs to be brought back into use but it is something that will be given consideration by the Government.

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