Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again call on the Minister for Finance to commit to the introduction of a vacant property tax, which would discourage vacancy and encourage the renovation of vacant properties. Recent CSO figures indicate that there are more than 160,000 vacant properties nationally, with more than 30,000 in Dublin. In a housing emergency, it is morally, environmentally, economically and socially wrong to have so many vacant properties lying idle. We cannot let this go unchecked. We have talked about it for far too long.

Since the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage took office, he made significant changes to housing policy. He increased the housing budget from €200 million to €4 billion per year and the funding for affordable housing from zero to more than €600 million per year. We all know that the most efficient and sustainable way to increase our housing stock is to reuse existing housing. Renovating properties will not only increase supply, it will also tackle housing poverty, strengthen communities and reduce carbon emissions. Housing for All rightly provides significant funding under the repair and leasing and buy and renew schemes, as well as the local authority programme for turning voids back into productive use. There is plenty of carrot, but we need some stick. The numbers from the CSO do not lie. We need a vacant property tax. We have debated it in the House and I have called for it many time. I ask the Leader to raise the issue with the Minister for Finance.