Harris rehashing budget announcement on derelict property tax
Harris rehashing budget announcement on derelict property tax - The Labour Party
Labour Housing Spokesperson Conor Sheehan TD has said the Tánaiste is re-announcing what was announced in the Budget on the derelict property tax.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“I am concerned that 6 months after announcing the tax that Government have not even settled on a definition of a derelict property.
“Everyone knew that this tax was necessary as local authorities have failed to properly collecting the Derelict Site Levy but it should have been introduced immediately after its announcement last Autumn.
“I welcome the tax in principle although I would question the 7% rate as we in Labour believe it should be significantly higher.
“This new tax must not be littered with exemptions for landlords and property developers and that is my concern as Government are yet to arrive at a definition of a derelict property.
“This tax cannot simply become a cost of doing business and we need to see the new central database of derelict properties as a matter of urgency. The data exists, it just needs to be compiled.
“This Government have been too slow to tackle vacancy and dereliction in our towns and cities. Throwing money at a plethora of schemes alone will not solve this.”