Rory Hearne: Derelict sites tax is 'designed to fail'
Rory Hearne challenges the Government on derelict buildings and the effectiveness of the proposed derelict sites tax. He presses for registers, immediate application of the tax, and funding for councils to compulsory purchase and convert derelict properties into homes.
Rory Hearne confronts the Taoiseach and Tánaiste over derelict properties and housing scarcity, arguing that Fine Gael-era policies have left local authorities under-resourced. He highlights the gap between an estimated 20,000 derelict properties and the roughly 2,000 currently on the register targeted by the new tax.
Hearne demands that the tax be applied to all derelict buildings, that councils be given the capacity to place properties on the register, and that funding be provided to compulsory purchase and renovate these sites into homes.
The Taoiseach responds by disputing claims that councils were gutted and says significant funding has been allocated. He notes that Revenue will administer the tax, that more work is required to implement it properly, and that precision and resourcing are essential to change behaviour around derelict properties.
Hearne frames the debate around accountability and practical measures to convert derelict stock into housing. The exchange raises questions about whether the register, resourcing and the tax design will be sufficient to tackle the scale of vacant and derelict homes in Ireland.
Immediate challenge to Government
Rory Hearne confronts the Taoiseach and Tánaiste over derelict properties and housing scarcity, arguing that Fine Gael-era policies have left local authorities under-resourced. He highlights the gap between an estimated 20,000 derelict properties and the roughly 2,000 currently on the register targeted by the new tax.
Questions on scope and capacity
Hearne demands that the tax be applied to all derelict buildings, that councils be given the capacity to place properties on the register, and that funding be provided to compulsory purchase and renovate these sites into homes.
Government response and implementation issues
The Taoiseach responds by disputing claims that councils were gutted and says significant funding has been allocated. He notes that Revenue will administer the tax, that more work is required to implement it properly, and that precision and resourcing are essential to change behaviour around derelict properties.
Implications for housing supply
Hearne frames the debate around accountability and practical measures to convert derelict stock into housing. The exchange raises questions about whether the register, resourcing and the tax design will be sufficient to tackle the scale of vacant and derelict homes in Ireland.
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Transcript
Taoiseach, people are sick of seeing derelict buildings across this country when they can't get a home of their own, but you're in the Tánaiste's blaming of councils. It's shameless. You were in government during the Celtic Tiger when councils were gutted. Fine Gael has been in government since 2011 and has starved local authorities of funding. The reality is your new derelict sites tax, just like your vacant homes tax, is a tax that's actually designed to fail. There's over 20,000 derelict properties, but it's only going to apply to those on the register, which is in the region of 2,000 homes. So the tax is actually going to apply to a fraction of the derelict sites and buildings. Will you give councils sufficient capacity to actually ensure that every derelict building is put on that register? And will you bring in the tax immediately to all derelict buildings? And will you ensure councils have the funding to compulsory purchase those derelict buildings that are on the register to ensure they're turned into homes? First of all, councils have not been gutted. That's a ridiculous statement and a stupid statement to make. There's been very significant investments made. There's been very significant allocation of resources. With respect to other members, we need to stick to the time and the rules. I would ask that you refrain. I don't care. Everybody else has to have an opportunity. Taoiseach? There's been very significant allocation of resources to local authorities and we've increased funding on a whole range of fronts. Bottom line is we're moving to revenue to impose a tax here. A lot of work has to be done to do this properly and that work is on the way and will be resourced. But it's very important that we do this with good precision and we do it comprehensively. And I do believe that this move, because of the fact that revenue and its attacks, will change the psychology around this and the implementation of it. It didn't happen on the local authorities for a long, long time and it just can't. You just can't use the lazy, you can't use the lazy excuse of resources.