Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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396. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the total amount levied under the vacant sites levy; the total amount collected by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18407/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Under the vacant site levy provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (the Act), planning authorities were empowered to apply a vacant site levy of 3% of the market valuation of relevant properties which were listed on local authority vacant site registers in 2018, which relevant owners were liable to pay in January 2019. The rate of the levy increased to 7% for sites listed on local authority vacant sites registers from 2019 onwards which site owners became liable to pay in January of the following year.

The most recent data available in relation to the collection of the levy is based on returns submitted to my Department further to the issuing of Circular Letter PL 03/2021 on 8 March 2021 requesting the submission of a progress report on the implementation and collection of the levy by each local authority. This information is provided in the Table below.

My Department recently issued Circular Letter PL 03/2022 requesting the submission of a further progress report on the implementation and collection of the levy by local authorities. This report will provide information regarding the levies collected in 2021, and to 31 March 2022, in respect of previous years.

It should be noted that under section 19 of the Act, unpaid levies due remain a charge on the land in question until they are paid. My Department will continue to engage proactively with local authorities to ensure that all vacant site levies due are paid and that the measure can achieve its full potential.