Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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309. To ask the Minister for Finance if there are plans to increase the number of properties subject to the vacant homes tax (details supplied); the measures being taken to increase the effectiveness of this tax in respect of bringing vacant properties back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7466/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government 2025 commits to introducing a new, all-of-government national housing plan to follow Housing for All. Any proposals in respect of new or existing measures will be considered in this context. Furthermore, it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.

Vacant Homes Tax (VHT) is administered by Revenue in accordance with Part 22B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997). A residential property will be within the scope of the tax if it has been occupied as a dwelling for less than 30 days in a chargeable period. Each chargeable period commences on 1 November and ends on 31 October of the following year.

The first chargeable period commenced on 1 November 2022 and ended on 31 October 2023. The second chargeable period commenced on 1 November 2023 and ended on 31 October 2024, with self-assessed returns due on 7 November 2024 and the associated tax payable on or before 1 January 2025.

VHT operates on a self-assessment basis, where the number of properties in scope and the amount of tax payable depends on the self-assessed returns submitted by property owners, the number of properties declared as liable, and the number of property owners entitled to claim available exemptions from the tax.

As VHT is a behavioural tax, it is not unexpected that the number of properties liable to VHT has fluctuated between the two chargeable periods. Figures in respect of the second chargeable period are provisional and may change in the months to come. My officials and the Revenue Commissioners will continue to monitor the tax and keep the measure under review.

VHT is one of a broad suite of measures introduced to address vacancy under Pathway 4 of the Housing for All plan. Initiatives such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and Ready to Build Scheme, under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, provide financial incentives for people to buy and refurbish vacant properties and sites. The Repair and Leasing and Buy and Renew Schemes support Local Authorities in leasing or buying vacant properties from owners to assist in the provision of social housing.

Other actions to tackle vacancy include funding full-time vacant homes officers in every Local Authority; allowing exemptions to planning permissions to convert vacant commercial premises to residential use, and enhancing the Nursing Homes Support/Fair Deal Scheme to incentivise the productive use of vacant homes.