Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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72. To ask the Minister for Finance if he intends to review the rezoned land tax to ensure a fairer approach to land management in view of landowners being asked to review supplemental maps published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21429/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As set out in Housing Policy Objective 15.2 of Housing for All, a new residential zoned land tax to activate vacant land for residential purposes, and to replace the Vacant Site Levy, was enacted in Finance Act 2021.

The tax measure will be levied at 3% of the land's market value, as indicated on maps to be prepared and published by local authorities. Certain exclusions apply.

Local authorities published draft zoned land maps by 1 November 2022 and landowners had until 1 January 2023 to make submissions seeking an exclusion. Local authorities published supplemental maps by 1 May 2023 and submissions to local authorities can now be made by landowners up to 1 June 2023.

The implementation dates provided for a two-year lead in time to facilitate a balanced approach between the urgent need to increase housing supply and the need to allow landowners make submissions to local authorities and appeals to An Bord Pleanála.

It is acknowledged that the tax will impact on landowners including, as outlined by the Deputy, in relation to supplemental maps. However, the land in question is zoned for a particular purpose under a plan adopted by the relevant local authority. The land has also been subject to investment by the State in the services necessary to enable development to address the urgent need to increase housing supply and therefore should be managed in such a way that it is used for housing.

While I have no plans to review the provisions relating to supplemental maps, I will monitor the effectiveness of the residential zoned land tax up to and beyond its implementation in 2024.