Simon Harris: New Derelict Property Tax and Support for Savers
Simon Harris announces three measures this week to tackle derelict properties, ease mortgage rules for downsizers, and make savings work harder for ordinary people. He says the package will protect communities, free up family homes and help savers see better returns.
Simon Harris sets out a new derelict properties tax aimed at ending long-term blight. He frames dereliction as harmful to communities and insulting to young people in need of a home.
Harris backs Central Bank reforms to mortgage rules to make it easier for older people to downsize and access bridging finance. The change is intended to free up family homes by helping retirees move to smaller properties in their communities.
He also unveiled plans for new savings and investment accounts with lower taxes and less complexity, saying many Irish savers are not getting a fair return on their money. The measures are planned to be introduced this year.
Taken together, the proposals aim to increase housing supply, protect neighbourhoods and boost household finances. Simon Harris presents the steps as practical actions the government can deliver now to help families and savers.
Dereliction and communities
Simon Harris sets out a new derelict properties tax aimed at ending long-term blight. He frames dereliction as harmful to communities and insulting to young people in need of a home.
Mortgages and downsizing
Harris backs Central Bank reforms to mortgage rules to make it easier for older people to downsize and access bridging finance. The change is intended to free up family homes by helping retirees move to smaller properties in their communities.
Savers and investment accounts
He also unveiled plans for new savings and investment accounts with lower taxes and less complexity, saying many Irish savers are not getting a fair return on their money. The measures are planned to be introduced this year.
What it means
Taken together, the proposals aim to increase housing supply, protect neighbourhoods and boost household finances. Simon Harris presents the steps as practical actions the government can deliver now to help families and savers.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Transkrypcja
Hi there, I know there's a lot of challenge in the world, a lot of darkness in the world. I want to stay focused though on what we can do here in this country. I've taken three actions this week. Firstly, making it clear we're no longer tolerating the scourge of dereliction. Bad for communities, bad for housing, and quite frankly, insulting to young people in need of a home. I'm introducing a new derelict properties tax to take strong, robust action in relation to this. Secondly, supporting the Central Bank in its reform of mortgage rules to make it easier for somebody to downsize, to right-size, an older person, a retired person perhaps, to free up a family home, move to a smaller home if that's what they wish in their community, changing these rules so it's easier for them to access bridging finance. This will make a real difference too. And thirdly, making sure your hard-earned money works for you. Lots of people in this country put aside small sums of money at the end of the week, at the end of the month. We're good savers in Ireland, but your money is not working for you. And that's why I've announced plans for new savings and investment accounts, lower taxes, making it work easier for you, less complexity, and bringing it in this year. Have a good day.