Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I oppose amendment No. 14, which seeks to amend section 17. The proposed amendment would set the levy at zero for the year of ownership change only. The overall purpose of the vacant site levy, as we have said is to incentivise the development of the suitable vacant sites in central urban areas. Section 17 provides an incentive for landowners and purchasers of vacant sites that where the ownership of a vacant site changes, no levy is payable for both the year before and the year of its sale. This provision will encourage a landowner who is unable or unwilling to develop a site to sell the land in order to reduce their levy liability. In addition if the change of ownership of the land is brought about through the death of the landowner the financial burden on the new owner is reduced. The proposed amendment would diminish this financial incentive and would be at odds with the overall purpose of the vacant site levy. Also the provision of the zero rate of levy applying in the preceding year is to take account of the fact that the levy is charged annually in arrears. To remove it would mean a new owner would be expected to pay the levy for a year that he or she did not own the site. We feel that would be unfair. Therefore I oppose this amendment