Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator.

Addressing vacancy and dereliction, and maximising the use of the existing housing stock, is a priority objective of the Government. Housing For All outlines a suite of measures aimed at addressing vacancy in a co-ordinated and robust manner, and specifically includes an action for the Department of Finance to collect data on vacancy with a view to introducing a vacant property tax.

In considering the case for such a tax, it is important to have a sound understanding of the quantity, locations and characteristics of long-term vacant properties. It is also essential to identify the reasons for vacancy, and whether these are long or short-term in nature. There may be genuine and acceptable reasons for vacancy such as refurbishment work, the temporary absence of the owner for medical reasons or pending the grant of probate for a deceased person's estate.

The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Act 2021 enabled Revenue to collect certain information on the occupancy status of residential properties in the local property tax, LPT, return forms submitted by residential property owners in respect of the new LPT valuation period, 2022-2025.

Regarding vacant properties, the LPT returns requested information such as whether a property is vacant, the reasons for the vacancy, and whether the period of vacancy is 12 months or more. The return data provide a snapshot of vacant properties in Ireland as at the valuation date of 1 November 2021.

Revenue has completed a preliminary analysis of the LPT returns received to date which has been shared with the Department of Finance. The results of the preliminary analysis suggest that levels of vacancy are low across all counties.

The Revenue analysis provides a basis for the Department of Finance to assess the merits and impact of introducing a vacant property tax, and how best such a tax might be designed. This work is under way.

I will comment briefly on the recent publication of preliminary census data. According to the preliminary figures released two weeks ago, 166,752 vacant dwellings were recorded giving a rate of 7.8%. This is a decrease compared to 2016. It is an even further decrease - a reduction of 12% - compared to 2011, when 230,056 vacant dwellings were recorded.

It is important to note that the CSO highlights that this is a point in time measure of vacancy relating to the weeks either side of census night. The figures are not intended to be a measure of long-term vacancy, and do not suggest these properties are available for reuse. These homes may well have been occupied again a few weeks after census night.

Indeed, on the figures for Dublin mentioned by the Senator, it is relevant that of that vacancy figure of 30,000, 4,000 properties were up for sale, 5,000 were being renovated, 3,000 were vacant because the resident was in hospital or care, a further 3,000 were vacant because the resident was recently deceased, and, finally, 1,000 were new builds awaiting their first occupation.

The Minister for Finance is considering this issue in consultation with colleagues before reverting to Government with proposals on the appropriate response. I understand Revenue intends to publish a profile of the occupancy data from the LPT returns shortly.