Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development of vacant or under-utilised sites in urban areas. When this matter arose in the Dáil, on foot of an identical amendment proposed by Deputy Pearse Doherty, the Minister for Finance gave a commitment to provide information to the finance committee regarding the number of properties being levied at the higher vacant site levy rate before next year's budget together with any further information available from local authorities regarding what effect that rate is having on the use of sites. In light of this commitment, the Deputy withdrew his amendment. The higher rate of 7% applies from 1 January 2020 and the Minister would hope to have six months’ worth of information regarding the application of the higher rate that can be shared before next year’s budget.